Posted on 02/02/2006 9:00:22 PM PST by presidio9
With 57 years of White House reporting, Helen Thomas is commonly referred to as The First Lady of the Press. She talked to Adbusters associate editor Deborah Campbell about the state of journalism today.
Adbusters: Youve had a front row seat on the White House press gallery since Kennedy, and now youve been moved to the back of the room . . .
Helen Thomas: Only for press conferences with Bush. He doesnt want to call on me.
AB: What does that say about his view of the press?
HT: Im reluctant to personalize it. No president likes the press, period. But Bush in particular wants to sanitize who he talks to. They give him a list of reporters to call on which Ive never seen done before and he sticks to the script. Hes afraid of my questions. On the one hand it makes me laugh, but its also sad. A president of the United States ought to be able to handle any question. If they cant, then why are they there? My requests are very simple. Usually its like why? Why did you do it? Whats it all about? If youre putting peoples lives at risk, you should be able to answer questions like that.
AB: Do you think the US press is tough enough on monitoring the centers of power at this point?
HT: No, I think they fell down on the job. But I sense that theyre getting their sea legs, gradually coming out of their coma in light of the hurricane and Karl Rove and a few other things. So they might get back to being real reporters again. I think theyre beginning to realize they let too many opportunities pass, that its okay to get angry and to really challenge, which is their job. Reporters represent the last frontier in terms of questioning public officials. If we dont do it, it doesnt happen.
AB: Do you recall a time or a moment in history when journalism was more heroic than it has been in recent years?
HT: Every other time but this time. And its because of 9/11. People wanted to be more patriotic and were afraid of rocking the boat. From there, we segued into a war where reporters were worried about jeopardizing the troops. So there was a heavy cloud and reporters had to fall in line for awhile. But theyre coming out of it, thank goodness.
AB: What are some of the main obstacles to doing good journalism at the moment?
HT: Fear. Lack of courage. You want to keep your job. Maybe some corporate heads are breathing down your neck. Youve got to feed the family and send the kids to college. There might be financial reasons and others, and maybe some reporters genuinely feel they shouldnt raise uncomfortable questions at a time when patriotism is demanded. But our job is to find out the truth. Thats our only job.
AB: At the moment it seems there are some cracks in the US foreign policy. Do you speculate as to where any of that is going?
HT: Well, I think that weve got to pull the troops out of Iraq. Weve got to stop killing. This is ridiculous. Its more than ridiculous, its tragic. Wanton killing, killing and being killed for what? I think the administration wants to hang in there because they actually believe they can win. But I think thats a long shot, if anything. And what is winning anyway? Winning what? A Shia theocracy? Is that what American soldiers are dying for? Furthermore, weve got to find out what terrorism is really about, find out the root causes. I think that it was right to go into Afghanistan and right to go after Bin Laden. But what about the bigger picture? Is it a religious war? Is it American policy that is motivating these people? What is it? Figure that out, and deal with it.
Actually, journalists need more intelligence and honesty.
How can the President be afraid of Helen's questions? According to K. Couric he has "unbridled power"!!
President Bush is doing her a favor. She is a kook and has nothing in her life. If she asks the wrong lunatic question, she will loose her job.
I think GWBush is doing her a mercy, not ignoring her. She keeps her front seat, she keeps her job, and gets to "enjoy" her twilight years.
in court they call those "leading questions"
I just HAD to come have another look at it and show it to DH.
Still laughing!
That would be Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder in Dr. No.
This is Raquelle Welch.
It is possible to mistake the two women if you don't lok closely at their faces. In any case, this thread could use both of them right about now.
Helen Thomas - "Journalists need more Bush hatred"
Whew. She got all the DNC talking points into one article!
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