Franklin Foer continues his criticism of the Left Blogosphere for not, in his view, standing up for the Media, and specifically, now for the New York Times:
Last month, I wrote a column against the Mainstream Blogosphere. I argued that the MSB has made a grave mistake in relentlessly attacking the credibility of the New York Times and Washington Post. For decades, conservatives have been trying to shred these institutions. Now, the left-wing bloggers have made common cause with the media's conservative critics, trying to bring down the "mainstream media." The NSA domestic spy story has provided a powerful case study in why the left's attack is so dangerous. . . . Instead of praising the Times for excellent reportage and bravely bucking presidential pleas to bury the story, the MSB has heaped disdain on the Times.
. . . These attacks should be meaningless, except they're not. The administration has now launched an investigation into the leak that produced the Times story. This is a dangerous case that could seriously threaten the ability of reporters to do their jobs. And liberals should be apoplectic about the threat it represents. But instead of apoplexy, many in the MSB are sitting on their hands. The Bush administration has opened a new front in its war on the press, and the press has no defenders. Thanks to the MSB's sweeping, reckless criticisms, the Times has lost much of the credibility and authority that it needs to mount a robust defense. For this, the bloggers deserve some credit. Well done, guys.
There are many fundamental problems with Foer's construct. The most fundamental is his mixing critiques of the Media's PERFORMANCE with the IMPORTANCE of the role the Media plays. Let me give you a personal example.
On July 7, 2005, I published on the front page of daily kos my post Judith Miller is Right Not To Reveal Her Source:
Judith Miller has been sent to jail for refusing to comply with a court order that she testify before the Plame grand jury. While I have discussed the legal aspects in depth here, I think another aspect is important - Judith Miller is doing the right thing in not revealing her source. Miller has been a terrible journalist for the past four years. Her work on Iraq and WMD was negligent bordering on criminal. [NOTE: My use of "criminal" is hyperbole. Obviously she broke no laws with her coverage, just her reputation as a journalist.] But she is right and courageous in not revealing her sources here.
. . . But the bottom line is this, Judith Miller deserves praise for the important fight she wages now. Just as surely as she deserves our scorn for her performance in the run up to the Iraq Debacle.
I give her that praise here.
[DISCLOSURE] I represent Media clients, including in matters that require the protection of confidential sources.
Earlier, I wrote:
Haha! We're laughing at the hack [Judith Miller].
But you know what - she's right.
The protection of sources IS critical to the free flow of information in a democracy.
By letting the D. C. Court of Appeals' sweeping decision, a decision whch flatly states there is no reporters' privilege, either under the First Amendment or federal common law, the Supreme Court of the United States has abdicated its responsibility to set reasonable guidelines for the invocation of such a privilege.
. . . So while you enjoy your schadenfreude with regard to Miller, also consider the damage done to the freedom of the press.
A sad day.
Needless to say, my view was not a popular one. But it was expressed. On the front page of daily kos. See? It's not that difficult Foer. I can stand up for the right of the Press to keep its sources confidential AND critique the terrible job the Media has done.
What Foer seems to have difficulty understanding is that the important role the Press SHOULD play in our society is not to say that they are doing their job. Indeed, it is our view that the Press has failed miserably in its role for the past 5 years at the least.
One can hold these two views at the same time. It is not complicated. To hear Foer tell it, you're for a free press filling its role in our society or agin it. And if you are for it, you can never speak an unkind word against the Media. Sound familiar?