I will concede some of the rank-and-file newsies might have been in the dark here. But the “name” journalists, the high-profile editors were in the big middle of this thing. What do you think all that face time on TV is about?
Recall a couple of weeks ago the NYT clown Tom Friedman got caught taking speaking fees - $50K, iirc. At first, he acted like he did nothing wrong. That tells us he’s been doing it for years.
And what type do the rank-and-filers all look up to? The Woodward/Bernstein types. That’s who they all want to be when they grow up.
But there is a difference. A big one.
I've known reporters who could be bought - BUT NEVER one who worked at a real newspaper. Never. Those free lancers - sell by the word types - are sometimes a little "easier"...
As far as journalistic integrity among TV newscasters - that's awful. The revolving door between politics and journalism has tarnished the profession beyond words. It's one of the reasons - IMHO - why people don't trust the press like they once did.
If the publisher of the Washington Post wants more money for her paper, she should stop vanity circulation, be MORE honorable - not less - and get some real diversity at the paper - diversity of ideas. She should work at getting more readers - not "fewer journalists".
Abb, I still feel the people in the Washington Post newsroom were honorable and brave - considering this woman holds the power over their jobs. You have to respect them. They should make all of us feel proud.
That said, please - let's end this discussion - I don't want to defend the MSM.