Ex-White House reporter Jeff Gannon is lightning rod on panel about blogs

Jeff Gannon, the former White House reporter for Talon News, a conservative online news outlet, has once again roiled the Washington journalism establishment. Gannon, whose actual name is James Dale Guckert, resigned two months ago after gaining notoriety for using a fake name while working as a reporter covering the White House. Though he had no journalism experience and previously worked as an escort, he managed to ask President Bush a question at a nationally televised news conference.

The answer to Wonkette that pops into my mind is "What other soi disnat profession forks for no pay?"

While it would be nice if there were fair and balanced coverage by "journalists", the lead school of journalism, Columbia University's Journalism department has been churning out 'advocacy journalists' for decades.

Come to think of it, it would be nice if money grew on trees, too. But things are as they are.

All in all, it s sorry note when a President can't get unbiased media coverage (in this case, any coverage at all)and taxpayer money has to be spent to let the public know what it's government is doing.

A Pox Upon "Advocacy Journalists".

"I'm sorry," interrupted Ana Marie Cox, editor of the blog Wonkette, "that's the opposite of a fair hearing. You don't pay somebody to get a fair hearing."

Oh yes you do -- when the MSM is controlled by Wonkette's friends.

BTW Wonkette has to be the most over-rated blog in the universe. She made her bones by discovering a woman who was boking a number of men and bragging about it on her own blog.

Now she relies on readers who think vulgar references to anal sex is the height of sophistication. The rest is banality, recycled from real journalists.

Go to Wonkette tomorrow and you'll find links to Page Six and other gossip columns.

How exciting.

My word! Sounds like a rousing session. I can see why the MSM feels threatened. Their "rice bowl" is starting to crack. It's high time we all had a reminder that journalism involves no licenses or certifications, or guilds. You do not have to go to Columbia U. J-school to be a reporter. Indeed in the blogosphere, you do not even have to get hired by anyone. You just have to get people to read your stuff (and hopefully become sufficiently popular to sell advertising). I wonder if this is on CSPAN?

P.S Armstrong Williams was on Washington Week interviewed by NPR's Kojo Nnamdi (who is an old friend). He made it plain that he never considered himself a journalist. His publicity firm (that he started with Steadman Graham) was hired by the Dept of Ed. to do some work for them. He considers his commentary a sideline for him. He lost a good deal of business over this but he's rolled with the punches and remains cheerful.

Considering the open hostility that the President has had to endure in past press conferences and the antics of the likes of Helen Thomas, I for one have no problem with some sort of "balance." I say let Jeff Gannon back in and let the usual suspects scream themselves hoarse.
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"Gannonblog

April 8, 2005

National Press Club panel recap

I was privileged to be included in the NPC panel discussion on the subject of "Who is a journalist?" Some very important issues were raised and I was pleased to be able to comment on them. Of course, part of the time was spent questioning me, which I welcomed, since I rarely get a chance to answer questions on live television.

Unfortunately, at the conclusion of the event, an activist created such a spectacle that I left the room immediately with security. Otherwise, I would have remained to talk to members of the press. As I was boarding an elevator to exit the building, this same person made a dash for me with unknown intent. I have been informed that he subsequently had an altercation with a member of building security and has been banned from the premises. If you saw this person's behavior, you would realize that the threats against my person, property and family have not been exaggerated."
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I too checked out Wonkette in the wake of the "Washingtonienne" scandalette (anyone who could make Michelle Malkin so furious could at least draw my curiosity). I don't mind a little prurience here and there but her blog doesn't deserve to even qualify as a "gossip column." For instance: her latest entries consist of nothing but juvenile cheap shots at Gannon, the Townhall.com pledge drive (they recently spun off from Heritage and are now a 501 (c)(4)-non-tax-deductible), an unflattering photo of Jenna Bush and a shameless plug for sponsorship. Her exclusive lampooning of Republicans and conservatives quickly becomes more boring and predictable than offensive.

Her website is rated 13,787 while FR is 1699. Overrated? LOL!

Nice to know FR gets more hits but she is seriously overrated by the MSM. They keep putting her various shows as if she's "Miss Snarky USA". For example, Kudlow had her on Friday or Thursday. Larry, shamefully, sucked up to her.

(If you're lurking, Larry, I understand one has to do that sort of thing.)

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