I majored in communications (emphasis journalism) in the years spanning Watergate. There was a huge sea change between pre-Watergate and post-Watergate students. Prior to 1973, the attitude among my fellow students was gathering and publishing information in as neutral a viewpoint as possible and letting others sort out the consequences. After Watergate there were many students who aspired to be Bernstein/Woodward crusaders toppling powers-that-be. I think that latter attitude is now fully flowered in today’s media.
To all,
Yes, now closer to 50 years ago and Caseinpoint is correct that “Watergate” is the shift point when journalism ended and “crusading for a cause” began.
>> After Watergate there were many students who aspired to be Bernstein/Woodward crusaders toppling powers-that-be. I think that latter attitude is now fully flowered in today’s media.<<
Sowewhere between there and here the toppling was only for Conservative leaders. One need only recall the total blank check bj was given (later extended to his old lady). And of course those same “reporters” went from looking the other way to licking the rear side under obozo.