Dan Rather: Mainstream US Media

Are Frightened and Timid

>>> CBS News' star anchor Dan Rather appeared on BBC's Newsnight on May 16, 2002. Apparently feeling safe in Britain, Rather made some extremely candid comments about the state of the news media in his homeland:

"It is an obscene comparison--you know, I am not sure I like it--but you know there was a time in South Africa that people would put flaming tires around people's necks if they dissented. And in some ways the fear is that you will be necklaced here, you will have a flaming tire of lack of patriotism put around your neck. Now it is that fear that keeps journalists from asking the toughest of the tough questions, and to continue to bore in on the tough questions so often. And again, I am humbled to say, I do not except myself from this criticism.

....

"What we are talking about here--whether one wants to recognize it or not, or call it by its proper name or not--is a form of self-censorship. It starts with a feeling of patriotism within oneself. It carries through with a certain knowledge that the country as a whole--and for all the right reasons--felt and continues to feel this surge of patriotism within themselves. And one finds oneself saying: 'I know the right question, but you know what? This is not exactly the right time to ask it.'

....

"There has never been an American war, small or large, in which access has been so limited as this one. Limiting access, limiting information to cover the backsides of those who are in charge of the war, is extremely dangerous and cannot and should not be accepted. And I am sorry to say that up to and including the moment of this interview, that overwhelmingly it has been accepted by the American people. And the current administration revels in that, they relish that, and they take refuge in that."

....

Press Release from the BBC

~~~

Not much is going on with me, these days. I broke down and went to the doctor yesterday, where I discovered that I have a sinus infection. Yay for me. Since my illness and appointment dictated that I miss work yesterday, I have of course been very busy today...and not in the mood to do any of my work, cuz I still feel like crapola.

I must say I am rather sick of Joe Millionaire already. That man's a dope and he's boring as all hell. I do enjoy the commentary of Paul, the Butler, though. The Bachelorette is much more interesting (well...as much as any such show can be anyway); at least there is actual conversation going on during her dates and you can actually tell who she has some chemistry with. I'm gonna miss Rob, though. I thought he was a cutie, in a disheveled kind of way (which is often my favorite kind). Plus, he seemed to me to be the most genuine of the guys.

My favorite reality series of the moment, though, is the Real World/Road Rules Challenge on Mtv. Plus, there's one on the Outdoor Life Network (I know. I'm the only person on the planet who watches that channel) to which I am completely addicted. In fact, it's actually one show I would like to have been on. It's called No Boundaries. Basically, it's a bunch of people going across the country together (by that I mean, hiking, skiing, kayaking, and climbing their way across country). Each week, one is eliminated. The last one standing at the end winds a wad of cash and an SUV.

OK, I wouldn't accept the SUV, but I'd sure as hell accept the extra cash I could get from selling it.

Anyway, I like it a lot cuz it's just people working hard and challenging themselves physically - no eating bugs or strange body parts. It's all just about physical challenge and of course there's still a bit of people-politicing involved.

OK, I'm out. Hasta.

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