So, I was reading over the online interview with John F. Harris of the Washington Post over at the
"Post Politics Hour" and couldn't help but notice the following question:
Northampton, Mass.: With the revelations about Miller, Woodward, and Viveca Novack the public is naturally concerned about the too-cozy relationship between the Washington press corps and their official sources. How, in your view, can we combat this problem and build a stronger and more independent fourth estate?
His answer and my comments on the flip...
Harris replies:
John F. Harris: I don't ever wish to be complacent about these issues. I can only tell you from my vantage point, as the person who edits the White House coverage, that coziness between the Bush White House and the Post reporters who cover that place aggressively and fairly has not been a problem.
In addition, as we have seen in recent years, there are more voices holding not just public officials but the media accountable than ever before. All for the good. I
He trails off with the "I" on the end. But notice the bolded and italicized text above. Notice how carefully Harris answers the question, focusing only upon the reporters that cover the White House; never a mention as to whether the editors of the post have an issue with "coziness."
All of which speaks directly to the point of how cozy, another Post Editor, Bob Wooward, has been with the administration, and whether that coziness of a Washington Post Editor has influenced the editing, layout and choice of what stories are run by that paper. That's the unaswerable question, Mr. Harris, just as the unknown from Northhampton stated it:
How, in your view, can we combat this problem and build a stronger fourth estate?
Answer: A democratic newsroom, one with elected Editors, or at least, greater ownership of more media sources. We need to break the great trust that owns the media in this country if we ever want the fourth estate to be independent again.