Niall Ferguson's article made me see red, as it did many a progressive, and some embarrassed journalists fighting for credibility for their profession, against the hacks who outnumber them. This is an excellent article that takes on Ferguson's article, point by point.
http://www.theatlantic.com/....
But beyond that, I want to look at the "Romney is a wimp" article vs. Ferguson's "Hit the road, Barack" piece. Let me say I think they're both of the "Newsweek-goes-tabloid-in-panic mode," ilk. Newsweek is a cornered, dying animal and lashing out accordingly.
It crossed my mind when I saw the Ferguson article that this was Newsweek's way of being fair and balanced after the Romney/wimp article. I believe Newsweek is an equal opportunity exploiter at this point, and none of it has a thing to do with the practice of journalism.
Of course I think Romney is a wimp. But is that admirable journalistic language? Since I wouldn't appreciate a "Obama is a wimp" cover, I won't by hypocritical enough to deny that conservatives probably felt the same way about the Romney article, as we do about the Obama article, and that's fair. Which goes to say that these sort of headlines only divide, they don't inform.
That said, while calling a presidential candidate a wimp, does not IMO, stack up to good journalistic practice, telling a sitting president to "hit the road," while you refer to him by his first name, on your front cover, is something else all together.
Can anyone even imagine Time or Newsweek---arguably the most iconic news magazines---with a headline on the cover that said "Hit the road George?!?!?!"
Neither can I, and it never happened. IMO, this is more evidence of the disrespect aimed at this president, without a blink of the eye by major media outlets.
Some of it IS racist, conscious and unconscious, and some of it is simply that the press has allowed these uncivil times to define them. They have become us, and that's not the idea. They pander for numbers and clicks in NO DIFFERENT way than the "Housewives of wherever" do. They are following us around, panting, hoping to guess what will make us happy, what will make us click and buy. Like I said, this is not the idea behind "the fourth estate." It is the antithesis of that idea.
Won't be the first time by any means. Those here not aware of the term "yellow journalism" need to buff up on their history. Fact is, journalists have always been pray to this, and if you read some of the headlines from yesteryear, it's actually been far worse.
But the whole point is to continuously evolve into something better, or there's no point at all. Newsweek, once a venerable news outlet, has dishonored themselves with BOTH covers. But they have hit an all time low when it comes to a MSM outlet's cover and its regard for the presidency.
"Hit the road, Barack." What's left to sling at this president, that's less respectful?