The Media vs. the American People

contentions ^ | 8.14.2007 | Gabriel Schoenfeld

[Contentions]

Are reporters above the law? Should they be?

We have lately been running laps around this block in connection with the 2005 leak of the NSA terrorist surveillance program and the 2003 exposure of Valerie Plame’s CIA status. The first of these two episodes did not land any reporters into trouble, but a federal grand jury is still hearing evidence in the case and there was movement in the case last month. The second led to Judith Miller of the New York Times being put in the slammer by a court. There she remained for 85 days, until she disgorged the identity of her confidential source: Scooter Libby.

[theDentist]

Reporters/journalists/newscasters etc see themselves as having a calling (like a Priest or Nun), and do see themselves as above law, above citizenship, above everyone. They are modern-day historians with a need to not only record history, but place it in a context and pass judgement on the participants, and to point the reader in the proper direction. They have decided they are more important than the 1st Amendment, hiding behind it when their actions so warrant.

If they are at a police or military action, they believe all participants should aim around them.

If they break a law to "get the story", or if they get someone injured or killed, or if they tarnish a man's good name in the process, too effin' bad. They are lower than a used care salesman... MHO.