Comments on The Pensive Quill: The Right to do Journalism

deciding what we are to read

Christopher, I think the left or what is referre...

2012-06-25T23:09:05.338+01:00

Christopher,

I think the left or what is referred to as the left in the US have always been reluctant to hit out at the democrats in office. Hitchens claimed he was treated with scorn for having had a go at Clinton. Holder should be sacked. His behaviour is on a par with Nixon.

Marty, I hope it turns out a great event.

2012-06-25T11:01:56.936+01:00

Marty,

I hope it turns out a great event.

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2012-06-25T10:36:42.915+01:00

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Christopher, the outcry being restricted only to...

2012-06-21T17:45:56.242+01:00

Christopher,

the outcry being restricted only to the far right serves to legitimise him even more than is merited from a liberal/left perspective.

Great point about being on the right not being gro...

2012-06-21T12:34:08.253+01:00

Great point about being on the right not being grounds to dismiss his questioning attitude of the president. I'm of the "they're sneaking in anyway; legitimize them and add them to the tax-base" mentality myself, but if this administration can stonewall right-wing criticism - AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WE ALLOW IT - then who is to stop any reactionary right-wing government from giving our side much the same.

Another point we should bring up is why is there only outcry against Obama on the Far Right? As progressives and humanitarians, shouldn't left-wing journalists have bones to pick with this administration, especially Eric Holder's starring role in "THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS" and its sequel "2 FAST 2 FURIOUS: BOSTON-TO-BELFAST DRIFT" ?

And from a historical standpoint, freedom of the press is a newborn concept. Just 104 years ago the press in the USA acted in the interest of a corporate tycoon to start a war against Spain. With this right to Free Press being so hard-fought for, lets remember that it requires vigorous defense.

Mick, good points here. A questioning rather than...

2012-06-20T19:12:46.350+01:00

Mick,

good points here. A questioning rather than a deferential journalistic culture is necessary. Much more can be learned at times from the questions asked than from the answers given.

AM Chris and yourself are spot on, even when they...

2012-06-20T19:07:34.103+01:00

AM

Chris and yourself are spot on, even when they are allowed to ask question these mockney journos lob a soft ball, or give notice beforehand of what they will ask. Why bother indeed.

In Westminster the 'lobby' works the same way, the guardian did withdraw from it once, but was soon enticed back. What happens if journalist refuse to play ball at these photo opps? they are denied access to presidents, PM's and ministers, etc and their bosses do not like that as it restricts their access too.

Today's politicos are so used to being soft balled they cannot think on their feet when asked a difficult question. sure this happens only rarely, as they are well protected from the herd, but it does happen occasionally, Thatcher during the Falklands war is a good example, when a member of the public stumped the old witch on TV.

Cameron falls to bits when he get bowled an off message googly.His surface lite eton charm evaporates and he is displayed as the nasty elitist bastard he undoubtedly is.

Broadcasters like Paxman have a lot to answer for, they mascarade as tigers but in reality are purring pussycats in hoch to the bossman.

Mick

Can you see the similarities between the press in ...

2012-06-19T19:29:23.669+01:00

Can you see the similarities between the press in the US and here, indeed why bother to turn up at these "press briefings" if it was only for the optics and can you imagine the damage those bastards would do if no one was to keep an eye and ear on their actions remember Watergate,and the expenses scandal.