The NEA & the Washington Times "story":

Bob Somerby once again does serious journalistic spade-work. It's amazing that the Times article had any legs, but alas, that's what happened. Even Peter Beinart got fooled. For, as Rober Kuttner put it, "the column in the Times is about the most dishonest piece of journalism I’ve read in years".

Last week, we took a look at the NEA site dedicated to 9-11, and were impressed by the enormous amounts of lesson plans, links to other resources, and other packages for parents and teachers. For instance, here is an example from one of the papers:

The purpose of memorials is to bring people together to express their grief and at the same time to reduce feelings of isolation and vulnerability. In addition, these activities can help to increase feelings of security. Appropriate memorial activities may include listing the attributes of lost friends or loved ones; developing memory books; distributing memory ribbons; planting a flower or a tree; lighting candles; saying a prayer; creating a mural or collage about the life (lives) of the deceased; and writing a poem, story, or song about the person(s) who died.

Pretty subversive, huh?

While we admire what The Daily Howler has done, we are also saddened. This sort of chasing down lies shouldn't be necessary. After all, hasn't the Washington Times already demonstrated that it's an unreliable, biased newspaper? (Remember how they mishandled Clinton's post 9-11 speech?) They should be ignored. Same for Coulter. Same for Limbaugh. Same for Hannity. Same for O'Reilly.

The burden of proof - that they are reliable journalists - is on them. They have to demonstrate that they're honest reporters. Big ratings don't mean a thing - except that they have big ratings. The audience for these folks have already made their minds up. For them Fox is fair and balanced. There is no spin at the O'Reilly Factor. Rush is the voice of truth. Etc.

But then people say, "These stories and personalities get into the major media, like CNN." True. That's the fault of the major media, and they will have to keep their house in order on their own. They know the score. They know who the clowns are and who does serious work. If they bring on the crazies, it's their shame.
posted by Quiddity at 8/27/2002 05:56:00 PM