Camille Paglia Calls Katie Couric 'Definitively the Stupidest' Journalist (Defends "talk radio")

Newsbusters ^ | 1/14/09 | Noel sheppard

[Wegotsarah.com]

[snip]According to Paglia, "There's many a moose in Alaska with greater charm and pizazz" than that possessed by Couric.

So wrote the outspoken columnist Wednesday in response to a reader's question about the media's treatment of Gov. Sarah Palin. In her most recent offering, Paglia answered queries on subjects ranging from religion, music, sexuality, freedom of speech, and, of course, politics. [snip]

"If there's anything that demonstrates the straying of the Democratic Party leadership from basic liberal principles, it's this blasted Fairness Doctrine -- which should be fiercely opposed by all defenders of free speech. Except when national security is at risk, government should never be involved in the surveillance of speech or in measuring the ideological content of books, movies or radio and TV programs.

Broadcasters must adhere to reasonable FCC regulations restricting obscenity, but despite the outlandish claims of Democrats like Sen. Charles Schumer, there is no analogy whatever between pornography and political opinion. Nor do privately owned radio stations have any obligation to be politically "balanced." They are commercial enterprises that follow the market and directly respond to audience demand. The Fairness Doctrine is bullying Big Brother tyranny, full of contempt for the very public it pretends to protect."

Of particular note, Paglia once again went after the liberal elite view that Palin is a bumbling fool unqualified for high office (h/t HillbillyKing):

[Texan Tory]

Agree. She has a lot more integrity than most liberals, because she will stand on principle for free speech even in those instances when free speech is opposed to her liberal philosophies.

[chief_believer]

...straight-up girl, that Camille Paglia is.

She is an outspoken defender of Palin. I like that about her.

[fleagle]

Even when Paglia is wrong, she gives a good defense of her position. She NEVER goes to ad hominem attacks. So even when I disagree with her, which is often, I come away having learned something worth learning.

I agree. I can pretty much count on one hand the number of writers or tv talking heads I feel that way about; Paglia is definitely one of them.

[Badeye]

she stays true to her own principals, no matter the political firestorm it creates.

Kinda like coulter.