Posted on 03/13/2006 10:01:12 AM PST by presidio9
Legendary broadcast journalist Dan Rather told a packed John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum last night that Comedy Central host Jon Stewart offers another dimension to the American experience.
I like him. I like the program, Rather told a smiling Alex S. Jones, his interlocutor for the evening.
After this cheerful beginning, Rather went on to address some of the tougher problems facing the media today, focusing on the market pressures which affect the quality of broadcast news.
Ratings no longer are king. Demographics are, Rather said, noting that even shows with high ratings can now be taken off the air for demographic reasons.
The long-time CBS News anchorman, who retired from his post last spring after more than half a century in the press, described the news as a public trust. He emphasized the medias obligation to public service, which he said has gone badly out of fashion and is in very near danger of disappearing.
He added, playfully, In many ways CBS is better than some, but thats a subject for another time.
Jones, who is director of the Shorenstein Center on Press, Politics and Public Policy, described Rather as an icon and as a man who speaks his mind.
The president sassed him and he sassed him back, Jones said in his opening remarks.
While Rather denied having sassed any president, he agreed that he tried to stand [his] ground.
Im not an icon, Rather said. I can be arrogant and conceited.
A heated question-and-answer session followed Rathers comments.
Addressing the medias influence, Rather said he was both aware of his power and afraid of it.
As hard as you try its impossible not to understand that in some ways you can make a difference, Rather said, referring to his years as one of the most familiar faces of American news.
One audience member asked Rather about the medias ability to balance national security interests with the publics right to know.
Rather said he thought sensitive information should be printed and that the burden ought to be placed on the government to prove why information should not be printed.
Of the recent controversial Danish cartoons, Rather said that while he thinks the Danish newspaper was right to publish them, it might not have been the right thing for everybody, everywhere.
Ive seen politicians speak and it was clear that Rather was very aware of his audience and he was speaking closely to the questions, said Patrick A. Schneiter, an Extension School student who attended the talk.
The event was organized by the Institute of Politics (IOP) and co-sponsored by the Shorenstein Center.
I thought Dan Rather was very honest and very responsive to the questions, said Jeanne Shaheen, the director of the IOP.
Rather was invited to speak by Dotty Lynch, an IOP fellow and political editor at CBS News.
Bugs Bunny: "What a maroon!"
"Of the recent controversial Danish cartoons, Rather said that while he thinks the Danish newspaper was right to publish them, it might not have been the right thing for everybody, everywhere."
What a remark! LOL! This guy is far too over-rated to get any attention, anywhere!
What a bunch of crap. I like watching Jon Stewart and the Colbert Report because they are funny...to take them seriously as real journalism is nuts.
I remember watching Bill Maher's program and guest pundit Timm Robbins said just that, Stewart was one of his sources for news. I just about fell off my seat laughing. Even Jon Stewart doesn't take himself seriously.
Kinda gives you some perspective where these Moonbat Comlibs are coming from.
... and biased and demeaning and selfish and opportunistic and self-serving and narrow-minded....
David Gregory thinks he "represents" the people when there never was an election.
The MSM think they are the King-makers and are still disappointed they couldn't get Kerry elected. So, now they are trying even harder to destroy this country with their biased "reporting".
What will be left after "they" are through? I somehow think I do not live in the same country as they.
According to the Pew Research Center 21% of percent of
Americans aged 18 to 29 cited "The Daily Show" or Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update" as their primary news source. Their votes count exactly as much as yours does.
Problem is when Jon Stewart goes on the lecture tour...and regurgitates his junk as real news, which sadly happens.
Slight correction, blather. The quote should be "I AM arrogant and conceited."
LOL. Great post!!
Who the Hell is Dan rather?
How cozy.
His last gig was a high school in Cincinnati...
The perfect example of media bias that bordered on the insane.
It is a sad day, indeed, for the old line MSM when the NYT has to advertise for new subscribers on FOX News Network.
The truly pitiful thing about this article is the number of seeming educated young people who perceive Rather's double speak as the truth! You really must wonder what passes for higher education in this country.
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