Remarkable

[lillibet]

From Slate's Today's Papers:

Notably, the Times doesn't just get its information from officials, as the reporters also take a close look at a plot to carry out a suicide bombing in an airport in Jordan that was broken up. The investigation into the plot revealed a "connection between the people who planned the attack and militants in Iraq," says the NYT.

Not that this is news, but apparently it's now remarkable when reporters don't merely regurgitate the press releases of the administration, but actually investigate a story. What will we come to next? Teachers instructing pupils? Doctors treating sick people?

Comments

[3diff.livejournal.com]

I think that news outlets are frequently forced to base their reports on official press releases and court documents because of the difficulty of actually reporting a story like this. The accused are usually not available for interviews; if they belong to an organization, it is illegal, and unable to give its side of the story except by posting news releases of dubious authenticity on the web. A long time reporter may develop "contacts", but that could be dangerous for both parties. Quite a number of journalists have been killed in Iraq; I can't blame them for not doing a perfect job.

[lillibet.livejournal.com]

I think that reporters are often doing a better job in Iraq than they are in the US. There's been a fair amount of notice among various non-establishment voices that the media have largely become lapdogs, instead of pitbulls, of our government. This isn't a new story, really, I just got hung up on the word "notably" because it makes me very sad.

next to come

[bridgetminerva.livejournal.com]

cats and dogs living together.

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