Thank You Dan Rather

Thank you Dan Rather. It's balls to the wall time, and as a fellow Texan, you sure came through.

As an investigative journalist who worked as both a reporter and anchor for the San Francisco Bay Area's highest rated newscast for 22 years, I can only say what happened to you nationally was also happening locally. You were told to conform to a Republican agenda or shut up. When you refused to march in step, you got Bush-whacked.

I read your brief and I know the drill. The erosion was slow and many of us barely noticed the small chiseling away of who and what we once were. Anchors and reporters depend on high ratings. If ratings fall in television, people get fired. In the months following 9/11, the President's approval rating was 86 percent, and that's when many in commercial journalism lost their way. To disagree or even ask a disagreeable question regarding the President and his decisions was interpreted as disloyal by many media corporations.

But now we have learned. Get the trashcan ready to catch the chips, because the chisel is swinging back the other way and we as journalists are about to regain our voices and America's trust. Dan - the Man - as we call him in Texas is reminding the media conglomerates how it is supposed to work. News and those who report it are not supposed to be for sale. Dan remembers, and he's about to explain it to us on a national scale, but first some explanations from my field of vision as to how we got here.

On January 2003, President Bush delivered his State of the Union address. Osama bin Laden turned into Saddam Hussein, and Afghanistan turned into Iraq. The press knew this was a bait and switch, but fearing reporters and anchors might appear unpatriotic, the corporate media made it clear that even if George W. Bush played twister in the nude while a few sheets to the wind instead of going to constitutional law classes at Yale, we were not allowed to talk about it.

Viacom and CBS, according to Dan, wanted to curry favor with the White House. There are very few media conglomerates that didn't. Cox Broadcasting banned the Dixie Chicks from radio stations because their lead singer made a remark under her breath criticizing the president! Not wanting to appear unpatriotic, the town criers did not cry out. Many corporate media reporters became stenographers, not reporters on that State of the Union day. Those in television journalism, particularly those working for a Fox affiliate, were not allowed to ask questions that could be perceived as unpatriotic, and every question was seen as unpatriotic. Monarchs and dictators don't allow questions. They also destroy those who speak ill of them. "Scooter - Valerie." "Rove - Anyone." Blackwater was running around in the name of the United States shooting first and asking questions later like third world rebels, and back at home, Fox became the fastest growing network with fearless leaders who believed in not only reporting the news but spinning it as well.

Just seven years ago, I looked up from my desk and saw my image on the MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour as our staff of independent journalists was described as the best local news in the country. But war broke out and the Internet took off and all over the country local news ratings dropped as viewers turned to the national networks for news from the war fronts. Contrary to all logical thinking, local reporters looked at their retirement plans and their kids in college and promptly puckered their lips on the behinds of corporate media and smooched. If my kids were still in college I would not have the courage to write this now. In response to fewer viewers, local television panicked into a downward spiral and many a trusting viewer decided to go elsewhere. Corporate media was demanding reporters adapt to the point of our own extinction.

Morphed into propaganda machines - cheerleaders with pompoms - it was heartbreaking to watch the demise and media corporations always bass-akwards responses. With two wars on two fronts they decided to go "Local." Only local news. The war and the profound implications of it were relegated to 30 second stories buried deep into the newscast. (they don't need to know about that.--but there's a grass fire up the road!) If that's not manipulation, I don't know what is.

Here are some other sad results of this corporate bullying toward some of the best journalist in the country:

Anchors and reporters stopped asking why. The corporate media demanded nationalism without skepticism, believing ratings would fall further if reporters did their jobs.

Anchors and reporters starting taking their stories from satellite feeds coming directly to their desks and then standing in front of a chroma key delivering a story they did not collect and sometimes did not write. If viewers think every newscast looks the same that's why. It is.

Anchors and reporters allowed chroma key pictures of conflict areas to appear behind them giving viewers the false impression they were on the scene of the conflict instead of demanding to be sent there. Some could not even point out on the map behind them where the conflict was.

Anchors and reporters allowed management to hire entertainment reporters and producers. It's cheaper to entertain than to inform because an informed public makes wakes from slumber and makes noise.

Anchors and reporters began allowing precious hours meant for journalism to be filled with helicopter shots of the latest grassfire, traffic jam, or car chase, ala O.J.

Anchors and reporters allowed news directors and sales people to dictate their "look." Good journalism does not have a "look."

Anchors and reporters did not fight back when their investigative pieces were dropped. Managers feared losing advertising dollars and reporters acquiesced.

Anchors and reporters and producers agreed to story counts. Tell the story no matter how complicated in thirty seconds - throwing random and massive amounts of information at viewers without context.

Anchors and reporters started wearing American flags on their lapels. Some of whom never voted in any election.

Anchors and reporters began using genetically altered language: "War on Terrorism," without explaining that many people in the world think Americans are the terrorists.

Anchors and reporters started referring to the United States government as "We."

Anchors and reporters were handed press releases regarding corporate "mishaps" and began reading them verbatim. Like so: "Blank Oil Company had an explosion today; shelter in place, close the doors and windows, and don't go outside. However, the 'You've Got To Be Kidding Me Oil Company' says everything is fine."

Anchors and reporters agreed to report news that was already reported in newspapers and radio. Doing their own stories or advancing others creates controversy and potential lawsuits, betraying the sacred oath of corporate cronyism.

Anchors and reporters agreed to be physically altered in photographs, and airbrushed with make-up like playboy bunnies, as the media corporations ignored the news and invested in High Definition - hoping a grassfire on HD might look like news.

Anchors and reporters started advertising. "If you liked that story there will be more at six." "If you want to get more information go to www. you're_an_idiot.com. Makes you just want to scream: I'm here now; tell me now!

Anchors and reporters allowed producers to lead with Annie Nicole Smith instead of the "Scooter" Libby trial - making it clear that all sense of proportion and good judgment had been lost.

Corporations in this country are always a reflection of those in the White House. This White House is the Wild West, and corporations, even those who are charged with helping the public gain knowledge, are mining for gold. But today, when we had almost given up, Dan put his holster on.

Comments

[BeamMeUpScotty]

Isn't it ironic that no records exist that can prove that Bush served his last two years in the Texas Air National Guard. This is in itself proof Bush went AWOL and the records were subsequently destroyed to cover up the fact. How many people have mysteriously died because they knew the truth and wanted to speak out? How many more have been threatened with death should they speak out?

You and I would be court martialed for not serving out our contract with the Armed Forces - Bush got to be president.

At a time when there was a waiting list a mile long of QUALIFIED pilots to get into the Texas Air National Guard, an unqualified GW Bush mysteriously slipped right to the top of list - in no small part because of Daddy. All this because he was afraid to go off and fight for his country in Vietnam and took the coward's way out.

Shame on him - shame on all of you who voted for him.

[joebaggadonuts]

What I still want to know is who George W. Bush played twister with in the nude while a few sheets to the wind instead of going to constitutional law classes at Yale. ;) .

What happened while the TeeVee press went AWOL on their mission is Huffpo, FireDogLake, and the like, to fill in the gaps. Like water, truth seeks a way.

Thank you very much for realizing what is happening and reporting it. Thank you for supporting Dan in this fight. And, Thank you for telling us here about it.

[booker52]

It's like CBS spending millions on Katie, for what??? 30 mins of drivel. She isn't the only one, it's so watered down, who cares to tune in?? As for the rest, and this goes for every cable outlet, they zero in on one story and beat it to death. Right now it's Rush. Sure for a day or two ok, but days on end??? It's the same crap on every outlet, just a different spin.

[Pdubya]

Bush and his neo-"conservative" do not example the following: CONSERVATIVE* - "...moderate; cautious; safe..." conserving: "...to keep from being damaged, lost, or wasted; save..."

The Rep.base has shrunk because of Lil'. We are disenfranchised, apathetic, and unwilling Republicans looking at who could govern this country with a sound dose of conservatism. Less war, less spending**, more liberties, fair markets (not free), free expression, trading, diplomacy, legal immigration, less FED, less taxes,etc. Bush and cronies have exampled none of this. NONE OF THIS! And I am ashamed he is my President. Our President. Instead, what we've gotten is the cross-party 80/20 rule, subject to lobbyists/ poor tort. We have not had representative government. There are few candidates running for President that would be able to when they are elected. Most all are caught in the traps they stuck their foot in. I respect the Dems as fellow Americans, not as a "group" of liberals. Your partys' base is broad in its views, and as a conservative I share many of them, especially on civil liberty and military action. Please do not confuse us true conservatives with this label that the Rep.Party today has brought us. We could use a good wollop of real conservatism* right now if you think about it. And thats O.K. ** A true conservative would NOT be spending billions in Iraq (nor would true Republican OR Democratic Senators and Representatives continue to FUND it). A true conservative is compassionate. Bush just flat-out lied. Let us all not pander or bicker over partisanship, not now, please, at such a critical time in American and World history. Let us, as fellow citizens, come together and put back together the crumbling Hill. - As a whole, representative government of the people and for the people. If we do not the only people that will benefit are the people on, in, behind, or around the Hill. Let us instead talk about what this country needs, not wants, and clean up Washington, the MSM and put this great Country back in our hands.

[ZingoBonMot]

I watched Katie until her producers gave Rush Limbaugh free reign to spout his vile, hateful garbage on her second or third night as anchor.
That did it for me! Katie, CBS...buhbye!

[outnow]

The corporate consolidation of media and the conservative agenda has a chilling effect on the free press.

Torture, renditions, resource wars, big oil, climate change, death squads dragging out monks in Burma, Blackwater, caging voters, wiretapping all fly in the face of the Constitution. How many red-necks have even read that document?

Who even thought that Bush completed bis duty? He completed his duty to the MIC and the religious right. That's all that counts.

I have seen no evidence that the service records are forgeries. Just like the Moveon Betrayus Ad, the issue is obscured by the spin machine that echoes from Rush Limbaugh to Bill 'O. By repeating the "chorus," the red-necks feel better about their challenged intellects.

Now we understand how the Germans allowed Hitler to ascend into power. He promised them superiority, ethnically and racially. Ultimately, the "superiority" was to be established militarily.

[gettysburg]

It is absolutely terrifing what is going on in this country. The whole deal with the girl from the Dixie Chicks being criticized for voicing her opinion is disgraceful. By the way, where are all those flag wavin' country singers now? Using war to sell records is far more distasteful and disgraceful than exercising one's right to free speech.

[CAPTAINSKIPPY]

As MSM collapsed, seeking truth in journalism, I watched CBS & PBS/Lehrer less; now I must watch Colbert Report and Stewart's Daily Show to get the real news! (Thank you Ariana & HuffPo, also). Sadly, as Indepence Party noted above: The price our nation is paying for not having a free press is appalling. Thank you Leslie Griffith, for your solid professionalism & courage of your revelations.

[nastywolf]

After all these years of enabling the NeoCon media machinery to steamroll the Nation brave journalists are coming forward to bemoan the state of the industry??? Come on...gimme a break! Even the Daily Show knew how low journalism had sunk, years and years ago, but collectively you "journalists" did nothing about it except take the paychecks up the arse.

[Pdubya]

He was told to conform to a NEO-con agenda. Please make the distinction between Republican and Fascism. I take offense. And yes, KUDOS to Dan Rather. As a true conservative AND republican, I rather adore free speech.

[Pdubya]

btw - I voted for Gore. One look at Lil Bush and I knew he couldn't be trusted - in any clothing.

[Imhotep]

Actually, all American's were told to conform to the Republican agenda or STFU. Peace

[beef33]

I would agree. That smearing of Natalie Maines and what happened to Mary Mapes was about squelching dissent to get this invasion up and running. The whole National Guard thing was symptomatic of what went on just like the swift boat smear. I mean here we are with Mary getting called out on the carpet by fuckhead Dick Thornburg(a dyed in the wool republican) for merely pointing out that Bush finked out on not only going to Vietnam but sloughing off with the guard. Unbelievable. Yet no one looked into the validity of the obvious swift boat smear. Propaganda machine in high gear. Get that money spigot on for the HUGE military contracts related to invading iraq. hello

[TheIndependenceParty]

For the young ones among us, ... Viet Nam was the 60's and 70's. I did not intend to confuse!

[thedirtman]

You're onto something, Leslie. We're still not out of the woods. People are still lost in fantasy.

Take a look at the top tier of Democrats, and compare them with the second tier. The top three are media darlings. They lack credible experience to be President. Any of the members of the second tier are more qualified by any standard than the top tier candidates.

The popularity of candidates ought to be somewhat proportional to their qualifications... don't you agree? And what will be the consequences down the road over this?

[TheIndependenceParty]

As a kid in the 50's we waited for TV to "come on" in the afternoon with a local kids show, a national kids show, ... and the news, ... the real news. We saw Viet Nam, night by night, ... and we saw the casualties come home.

With 9-11 and everything since, it is as though we are watching what we are meant to see, and not what actually happens. When the baners against Iran began to unfurl on the news each day I decided I could not watch any longer. I read, what I can find of value. And so the Blogs and Newsposts, like HiuffPo, give me what I feel I can trust.

True journalism, it seems, has been forced underground, and relegated to "whispering down the lane" by you, to me and to the world. Outlets of every sort consolidate in the hands of a few individuals and corporations. I do not buy newspapers any longer, nor magazines.

I appreciate your words and your professionalism. The price our nation is paying for not having a free press is appalling.

[Hope42]

I've been forced to find REAL news in some embarrassing places...like the Alex Jones Internet radio show...he's the #1 internet talk radio host in ratings by far.
I disagree with many of his viewpoints (can't go for the conspiracy theories) but boy, does he talk about REAL news stories that you can't hear anywhere else because of censorship.
Try his podcasts at http://www.infowars.com/listen.html or listen through internet Shoutcast radio at http://www.shoutcast.com/sbin/shoutcast-playlist.pls?rn=5635&file=filename.pls
Go to Shoutcast.com for more internet radio talk shows since our "free" public radio air waves are now Rush dominated.
BBC is also a good source for real news and news podcasts.

[DJBrunner]

Excellent post, right on the mark. When my current TIME subscription expires I'll not be renewing it. I used to get the Washington Post delivered on Sundays. When I read the Editor-in-Chief's editorial the first Sunday following the 06 elections declaring that 'The Dems have to cooperate with the Repubs in order to make things in Congress work, it is their responsibility' I shouted out loud 'Where the hell have you been the past six years, surely not pounding on the Rethugs for their high handedness and dangerously juvenile behavior'. That did it for me as far as newspapers

[CornellRedneck]

Before they are journalists, they are Americans, and always should be. Wear the flag on the lapel and wear it proudly. Crazy people like Rather are not heroes, they are just crazy-- and deceitful.

[msfiskvletterman]

10/4/07
11:50am
UVM

I can't speak for all Americans, but I prefer to know the truth. If it takes a hero to get the truth out, that's just sad.

[msfiskvletterman]

10/4/07
11am
UVM

OOOPS. I got the time wrong on the above comment but I want to add to it anyway:

We really can't have an opinion on the lawsuit if we can't read the complaint. Is it posted where we can read it?

[jazzman]

I unhooked. I got rid of cable television. Any media that manipulates me, doesn't give me the full truth, doesn't inquire, and doesn't exercise balance and a search for real truth is not worthy of my support. I can't change the media but I can, and did, turn them off. I did. I'm free. It feels good and I feel proud of myself.

Through the Internet I have access to newspapers, media oulets, blogs, and news sources from all over the world. Until Comcast figures out a way, like Verizon, to block content legally, I'll now get real news.

[vippy]

Will this lawsuit ever go to court or will it
be settled?