Back in June, I wrote a post about FOX’s ridiculous attack on Katie Couric’s decision to report from Iraq. While I have very little respect for Couric and don’t consider TV news anchorpeople to be journalists, I thought it was crazy and bizarre that FOX would not only question Couric’s parenting skills, but would also claim to be an authority on what constitutes good journalism. And if going to Iraq allowed Couric to tell stories or give perspectives that most Americans had not seen, that would be a good thing. And if she did, it would make FOX look pretty stupid.
Turns out that FOX had nothing to worry about, since all Couric did was float puff piece after puff piece, parroting everything the Bush administration has been saying for years without question. When angry viewers wrote in to complain at the lack of substance to her reporting, CBS responded by attacking the intelligence of those viewers by associating them with that evil of evil, blogs (an evil that is making the traditional media increasingly obsolete). No wonder Couric’s week in Iraq garnered record low ratings — everyone’s tired of Bush’s BS, no matter whose mouth it’s spewing from.
MoveOn did a great compilation of Couric’s fluff. MoveOn has put out a few videos lately, which is hopefully a sign that they’ve finally realized that buying ads and commercials is a huge waste of time and money, even if what they said was right. Internet video is the way to go.
So put another nail in the coffin of the “liberal media” myth. If “liberal” media is so pervasive, how come Couric asked exactly ZERO hard questions and did no follow up on any of the BS she was fed? Why didn’t she tear Petraeus a new one? Why didn’t Couric leave her protective military bubble? Why did she willingly go on this dog and pony show?
What “liberal media” trolls don’t seem to realize is that all traditional media is CORPORATE. PERIOD. Media companies exist to make money, and they will go where the money is. That’s why all the networks followed FOX after 9/11, copying their graphics, style, and fake patriotism. It’s why CNN Headline News hired a right-wing ass clown like Glenn Beck, and why MSNBC continues to employ ratings hole Tucker Carlson. After 9/11, the execs at the networks believed that telling viewers the truth about the shotty case for war with Iraq would be unprofitable. So they didn’t do it. They saw that FOX was making more money with lies, shitty journalism and jingoism. So they did that. And the world has had to suffer for it.
Who, Feingold??? Good question. I can't say for certain, but considering his stance on soft money contributions, probably none. Again, though, I can't be certain. Since he was almost defeated the year he didn't accept any contributions from non-individuals, I know he's accepted money from businesses since then.