Posted on 06/15/2008 1:07:12 PM PDT by Daniel T. Zanoza
Commentary
Editor's Note: During the next week, RFFM.org will do a series of columns on the state of journalism in America today. We will look into the failures of the dominant media and the lack of adherence to journalistic integrity on the Internet.
The profession of journalism truly lost one of its most distinguished representatives with the sudden death of Tim Russert. The host of NBC's Meet The Press had developed into one of the best interviewers in the dominant media and the profession cannot afford to lose such individuals who ply their trade with dignity and pride. However, the near canonization of Russert also pointed to one of the problems plaguing the field. NBC's sister network on cable, MSNBC, devoted practically 72 hours of continuous coverage of Russert's untimely passing. I'm sure the Buffalo, New York native would have been embarrassed by such attention and the rest of us can point to this as one of the most pressing problems facing the profession of journalism today.
Tim Russert was not a rock star. Russert was not a star of stage and screen. Russert did not break Olympic records and he wasn't a famous wide-receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears or his beloved Buffalo Bills. Russert was a journalist, nothing more and nothing less.
However, today many in the field of journalism want to be looked upon as celebrities in their own right. From individuals on the right of the political spectrum, including Rush Limbaugh (WABC Radio) and Bill O'Reilly (FNC--FOX News Channel) to those left-leaning personalities like Chris Matthews (MSNBC), Bill Moyers (PBS) and many others in the mainstream media, reporting the news is simply not enough...
(Excerpt) Read more at rffm.typepad.com ...
Hey....HEY!! He asked Hillary about ILLEGALS getting driver's licenses and she NEVER RECOVERED from her answer!!! THAT will be Tim's BEST WORK LEGACY!!
I would not call either Limbaugh or O’Reilly a reporter.
Both are, in fact, celebrities whose fans are primarily interested in them, and not those they interview or discuss.
Rush will be the first to tell ya that he is an entertainer, not a journalist.
You are correct, they think they are celebs. That is why TR thought he could write a book about his DAD of all things. Not anything historic or a collection of political information......A FREAKING BOOK ABOUT HIS DADDY. They mistake their access to viewers for true celebrity status and they think that just because everyone watches their programs (to see what is going on in the world) that they are actually tuning in to see them. Disgusting and shallow.
Actually Rush is America’s anchorman, by default.
Pray for W and Our Troops
Tim Russert is still dead.
The media really thinks that they are an integral part of all they report on.. myopic jerks.
He wasnt even handed or objective in the least. he was a lib shill and nothing more.
Tim Russert was a terrible politico, but he really worked hard at being a great son and father. Give credit where credit is due.
“I would not call either Limbaugh or O’Reilly a reporter.
Both are, in fact, celebrities whose fans are primarily interested in them, and not those they interview or discuss.”
You would be wrong. I listen to Rush and couldn’t care less about him personally. A national polling company conducted research showing Limbaugh listeners to be better educated about American government and the way it works then are those that rely on “mainstream” media. Do a search, if you’re capable. It’s generally not a good idea to post uneducated guesses on a forum, it’s something a vast majority of Limbaugh listeners wouldn’t do, not because of Rush but because they listen, read and think. Try it sometime.
Class dismissed.
They power that devolves to themselves is one of taking down those with power, by using the media as a weapon. When we talk about unelected judges overruling the will of the people, also think about unelected journalists doing the same, and then reveling in their power to do so.
-PJ
I think the coverage of Russert’s death has not so much to do with the fact that he was a journalist, but the fact he died rather young, at the top of his career, and very unexpectedly. When Cronkite passes, he will not get the same tribute, but he has more claim to being a broadcast giant than Russert.
I watched Meet the Press this morning and the panel was stacked with “lefties” led by Brokaw. Russert was a decent guy, but was a democRAT hack. A lot was said about his “working class” background,etc. but we don’t hear much about that when it involves a conservative, who embraces core values more the the left can imagine, Regardless, it was “surreal” hearing of Russert’s passing. May he rest in peace. The Great OZ has spoken.
You might be correct that his book was a good one; however, maybe you and I could write a good book also, and our book would never see the light of day. Russert’s employer did not pay him to write about his family but he cashed in on his position to do so. He crossed a line that I am not comfortable with.
Envy is a terrible burden to carry around.
Russert was in a class by himself - he was the best. In a thousand years, he’ll be the “father” of TV news. No one will remember old Edward R. - he’s a person of our time. Russert will be the beginning...
No kidding. I don’t know what all the hateration is about on this thread. Seems that he was a decent guy. That his tv colleagues decided to eulogize him from their weekend shows in the days following his untimely death shouldn’t really surprise anyone. :shrug:
And perfection must be a terrible burden on you as well.
To all:
To a certain extent, I would have to agree with some points stated above regarding whether or not individuals like Rush Limbaugh are truly journalists. I would have to lean towards the criticism I received on that point; in the truest sense, Limbaugh is not a journalist, but there are individuals I mentioned in my column who do blur the line. Overall, thoughtful comments.
Dan Zanoza
RFFM.org
Apparently, you didn’t read the whole article, so I won’t waste any more time on your comment.
Dan Zanoza
RFFM.org
He didn’t lie and there is something to be said for that.
Uhm, journalists tend to, ahem, write, while the big hair monkeys you gape at on your idiot box, tend to read (off a teleprompter.) Mark Twain,Tom Wolfe, Hunter Thomnpson, William F. Buckley, were journalists, the big hairs are celebrities, known for being known, whether or not they’d admit to that. Perky Katie a journalist? Then, so is Vanna White, and we all love Vanna!
Bravo
Rush is not a journalist.
Russert also was one of the first to talk about Chinagate.
Hm, thanks for the pleasant ping.
I was talking about the comments on the thread.
Just who was he? Can we expect the same when Brit Hume dies? What kind of circus will happen when Dan Rather or Walter Cronkite dies? Flags at the capitol at half staff with caskets lying in state in the rotunda?
Tim Russert was just a liberal reporter. I just don't get it. I don't really dislike the man or anything, but this is way, way over the top.
Perfection is one disease that does not run in my family. Thank the Lord.
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