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

[realitytrumpsbull]

Our modern media became a liar's club under this
administration, not exactly a free press when
the Penta$cam is telling people what they can
and cannot publish etc. Remember 'embedded' journalism, and all that?

We got sold a bill of goods, here, and the
price tag was 3 trillion dollars, approximately,
and the tab is still running wide-open, and
Congress is afraid to lift a finger to stop it.

I say:

http://www.impeachbush.org

[Oldchef]

God bless Dan Rather. I hope the real truth comes out in this trial and it doesn't just go to settlement early on. I watched CBS evening news from the 1950's until they hired Ms. Couric and turned it into People Magazine News. The others are very little better, unfortunately.

[luziannagirl]

Mo working journalist works in a vacuum, at least not for long. Ultimately, even free-lancers must sell their material, and their stories & pieces must be backed up by courageous editors, news directors, producers, publishers, and owners.

It's not that there are no good journalists out there. They are there, there are just no MSM vehicles left for their voices.

[pavroviandog]

As soon as this happened, I KNEW THAT RATHER HAD BEEN ROVED!!! I have been saying this for years. This is straight out of the Rove playbook: plant some questionable documentation in order to invalidate/kill or put W's national guard under the rug forever.

[FuddleDuddle]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Pulling back the curtain to expose the reality and insanity is critical to begin to unravel this nightmare.

Dan Rather is courageous and principled. This will be the fight of his life. For all of our sakes, I wish him well.

[StillAmused]

Brava, Ms. Griffith!

All the wingnut screamers are obsessed, to the point of flop-sweat, with that single controversial document and the usual array of talking points (including Rather's audacity in seeking damages... uh, isn't that the usual objective of a lawsuit?), furiously nibbling around the edges of the issue like frantic rodents.

But not a SINGLE ONE has offered so much as a shred of documentation REFUTING the underlying truth of the original Rather report.

When Rather apologized, it was for the sloppy reporting of THAT document. Even that issue is now in dispute... the web is crawling with viable explanations, including historical IBM references supporting the existence of the questioned typeface. Here's just one:

http://www.javaskyline.com/analysis/killianfont.html

Another must-read is Sidney Blumenthal's devastating piece that originally appeared in Salon. Frankly, more than the arcane details of CBS' attempts to stifle Rather, the accounts of Junior's drunken exploits and unrefuted, extended "vacation" from Air Guard duty got my attention.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/09/27/4160/

I can prove where I was at every significant juncture in my life, one way or another... either via documents or witnesses. Did it not occur to our sleepwalking mainstream news media that the very visible son of a former U.N. Ambassador, CIA director and subsequent president ought to be able to do the same?

Talk about losing the lede!

Junior got through this one like he had an EZ-Pass riveted to his butt.

Can't wait for the discovery phase in Rather's lawsuit... all those irrefutable facts out there, clamoring to be lined up and displayed in evidence, well beyond the reach of Georgie's spinmeisters and a lazy, stenographic press. One almost hopes the actual trial begins after January, 2009 -- so we don't have to be bored to tears with yet another flimsy invocation of 'executive privilege'.

It's......­..........­.. SHOWTIME!

Stock up on popcorn.

[castlerider]

Stillamused, thanks for the great link of Sidney's artcle at Salon.com... I wonder why Huffpo didn't extend on the piece. Oh well, I've seen it now.
The comments behind it were very telling as well, including one that stated that possibly, Rove intentionally planted the Guard story on Bush so he could control it and introduce the backlash when it was conveniently shown to have weak legs, making the story inconclusive, and who cares if it damages some "lib" reporting bastard's career.... An assumed genius on Rove's part, that if true, may have been effective at one time in a very grand and ignonimous manner, but will not stand the test of time and the review of discovery in a patient and very deliberate court of law. Virtually having the potential to destroy everything Rove "propped up" for history to show its short term effectiveness, but long-term ineffectiveness due to hypocricy and devious stupidity. My God, what educated American jury will not understand the historical signifigance of demanding and standing for the truth?
Bush hid behind his daddy's trousers so he would not have to face the enemy in Nam.

Everyone knows this is true... What happened? This alone should have thrown up all the flags of alarm guarding the integrity of the GOP.
Bush and Rove fooled much more then just the GOP, They fooled this whole nation... Almost.

Great post, Ms Griffith, thanks!

[ScooterLiddy]

Be sure and look through the comments to Blumenthal's piece on the Common Dreams site. Look at www.GregPalast.com. Greg had the story long before CBS and reported it on BBC. It is all true.

[Danny O'Rourke]

I coudn't agree more! Good for you, Dan Rather!

[Vincent83]

RIGHT ON. I some times think Americans are being led (most of them unknowingly) by their government to the slaughter. It's so sad to see what is going on in your country. Before 9/11 I travelled to the US several times a year, since then I have not been, and will never enter your country again. (even with the attractiveness of your dollar. It seems you have become barbaric and less civilized.
History repeats itself and your fall will be Romanesque. SAD VERY SAD

[seawolf77]

I know what you mean. Look at that woman they killed at the Phoenix airport. For doing nothing more than pitching a fit. And then to watch the pathetic parade of cops claiming after hearing the story they know the police acted properly. Unbelievable. What would it take for them to think the police had acted improperly­...severed limbs strewn around the airport.

[Dem02020]

Before Mr. Rather left CBS, he was their highest ranking "television journalist" (if that's what they're called) for what seems maybe ten years, I don't know; and his career at CBS was always high profile, going back before Vietnam and even to the Kennedy assassination, if I remember correctly.

That's a lot of years being at or near the top, as a "television journalist" at CBS.
That's what I'd call being an industry "insider" of an almost unequaled rank; who could have more experience, and in such a rank at the top, than Mr. Rather has.


I wonder: Is the influence/­intimidati­on/"dirty trick" that was played on CBS and Mr. Rather by the Bush re-election team, is that the only such instance of influence/­intimidati­on/"dirty tricks" worked on a "television newsroom" that Mr. Rather knows of, in all his years as an "insider" in that industry?

I'd be amazed if it was.

And if it wasn't, then I'm sort of amazed that the only instance of influence/­intimidati­on/"dirty tricks" that Mr. Rather, as an "industry insider", seems eager to "blow the whistle" on and share with us, is one for which he not only wants $70 million, but that he blames his former employer CBS for no less, and wants that money from them.


I don't feel served at all by Mr. Rather's courage in sueing his former employer; I'd feel greatly served if he'd "blow the whistle" on several such instances of influence/­intimidati­on/"dirty tricks" that he must know of in all his years as an "industry insider".

This one single instance, which takes the form of a $70 million dollar lawsuit against his former employer CBS, changes nothing I think, about the crooked way things are...

...it actually has me thinking they're getting more crooked as we go along, in leaps and bounds measured in the tens of millions of dollars.


All that's required to really "blow the whistle", to really help, is to write an expose' of sorts.

All that takes is a type-writer: Even a "television journalist" should know that.

[castlerider]

You're right, questioning for more of the truth; I am piqued as well about finding out more "dirty tricks" Goodness, there has to be volumes that have taken place since Rove came to Washington­..

Funny how 70 Million, which is a tremendous amount of money, begins to seem so small. I have to agree; the greed driving all this has to be actually inspired by Billions more..
Like when Gonzales went to Ashcroft's hospital bedside in the desperate attempt to get acknowledgement for the spy program... What powerful, demanding, elite force was waiting in the wings for their opportunity to find out valuable information worth billions by wiretap, so jealously guarded by our Constitution, now put in jeopardy by this "trick"? Of course, it didn't matter; when Gonzo becanme AG, it was a DONE DEAL. Man, these guys have turned us UPSIDE DOWN!!

You can practically feel it in the air, CBS most assuredly has tried to settle...
Very interesting to note that Rather is not interested in settling out of court... He wants his day; it's a foregone conclusion, he'll get it.
Should have demanded a hell of a lot more.