September 23, 2004

Bill Moyers on journalism. A long read but worth it; nobody can talk like Moyers, presenting important ideas with passion and humor. "The job of trying to tell the truth about people whose job it is to hide the truth is almost as complicated and difficult as trying to hide it in the first place. Unless you're willing to fight and refight the same battles until you go blue in the face, drive the people you work with nuts going over every last detail to make certain youve got it right, and then take hit after unfair hit accusing you of 'bias,' or, these days, even a point of view, there's no use even trying." Don't miss the story about LBJ and the Freedom of Information Act.

And, just for beeswacky:

The totalitarian regime of Turkmenistan believes journalism matters so much so that all newspapers, radio and television stations have been placed under strict state control. About the only independent information the people get is reporting broadcast from abroad by Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty. A stringer for that service, based in the Turkmenistan capital, was detained and injected multiple times with an unknown substance.
posted by languagehat 20 years ago
  • I love Moyers. I'm going to miss him when he retires. I'm pretty sure this has been posted in comments somewhere, but here's a great (also lengthy) piece of his about democracy and religion. Both of these had me standing up and cheering by the end.
  • True believers ”will be lifted out of their clothes and transported to heaven where, seated next to the right hand of God, they will watch their political and religious opponents suffer plagues of boils, sores, locusts and frogs during the several years of tribulation which follow." Now, come on guys... It's only for several (some) years... No need to convert or vote Republican for that matter...
  • Bill Moyers is the classic example of someone who mistakes his somewhat above average IQ for genius and bores the shit out of the rest of us as he earnestly tries to explain things on what he takes to be our level. The most vicious cartoon I have ever seen was on the cover of National Review when PBS was featuring a multi-part Moyer's series on the great ideas of western civilization. It showed Moyers in a toga, with a copy of the Cliff Notes to Plato's Republic tucked under his arm.
  • So, Larry, about the article. Anything to say about it, or are you just here to fling poo?
  • I'm wracking my brain, trying to think of a reason why NR wouldn't like Moyers.
  • languagehat, apparently journalists and reporters should expect to be subjected to beatings, arrests, etc for no good reason except that Bashi doesn't want any reports going out of the country that he doesn't approve. Intimidate and/or punish. A real police state: -- Bashi was trained to follow the old USSR standard.
  • Apologies all around and especially to languagehat for my less than useful comments above. But they really were provoked by reading the article. To Moyers the significance of 20th-century journalism is that HE was a part of it. Between his patting himself on the back (bragging about how he "raise[d] questions about corporate power in Washington" and recalling the trivial events of his life ("just one more of those vagrant journalistic souls who, intoxicated with the moment is always looking for the next high: the lead not yet written, the picture not yet taken, the story not yet told"), well, I gagged. I agree with most of what he has to say, maybe everything. But his earnest self-importance is so damnned toxic... Ah, hell, there I go again. Probably my reaction says as much about me as him, so I shall shut up now. Sorry.
  • Ahh, Larry, he raised a lot of issues which you could comment on. He also gave a lot of other jounalists credit for going after uncomfortable stories. Come on, talk to us. We're mostly pretty decent about debate, here. I have to admit that I'm in love with Moyers' stand on ethics. And, yes he is proud of his involvement in issues, but why is that bad? I really think he's done a good job. And, I wonder whether anyone in today's press will do as well. Does anyone have a follow-on candidate? I'm a bit lucky because the sort of "major" news paper (locally owned) in my area does tackle local hard issues. They've had a number of articles which allude to corruption in the police, sheriff and district attorney organizations. But, my tiny, home-town newspaper doesn't report on local things that the bigger paper does reveal, even if it's on page 5 of section D there. (And rodgerd, you're wonderful.)
  • Larry: Yeah, he has an ego. Most people who accomplish anything in this world do. (Plus, he's Texan.) But there are very few journalists left with his insight and willingness to tackle important but unsexy issues. I recommend you watch Now and see if you don't think it will be a tremendous loss when he retires. I forgot to credit wood s lot for the link.
  • I work next door to the Channel 13 building and see Bill Moyers on the street occasionally. And my heart always does a flip flop. I am such a geek.
  • (Plus, he's Texan.) Ahhhh. That actually does explain a lot for me. But, like Star Wars, his interview with Joseph Campbell is reason enough for his deification. You may proceed. *clap* *clap*
  • It's a good article and worth the read, but um, uh, could he have gotten someone to edit it for length? I liked the little story about the snake though.