The Press Loves a Hero, but . . .Presidential Commission Won't Save Newspapers

Washington Post ^ | August 7, 2009 | Howard Kurtz

[La Lydia]

Dan Rather is wrong. Barack Obama should stay out of it. We don't need no stinkin' presidential commission. It's not that the former CBS anchor has delivered a flawed diagnosis. The news business, as Rather wrote in a Washington Post op-ed, is in deep trouble, particularly the print side. But his prescription -- that only high-level White House involvement can draw sufficient attention to the media's plight -- badly misses the mark.

This president may be able to bring Henry Louis Gates and James Crowley together for a beer...But rescuing the news business is beyond his power...

But the challenge here is not as easy as dropping by Five Guys and boosting its burger business. The journalism racket needs more than some spicy mustard to lure customers.

To be fair, Rather isn't suggesting that Obama do anything, exactly. He doesn't want a cash-for-clunkers bailout. He doesn't want federal control. The Detroit papers wouldn't become another General Motors, with some information czar picking the font size. Yet Rather has great faith in the illuminating power of the blue-ribbon commission, which for Beltway denizens is a classic bureaucratic substitute for doing something, with a thick report destined to gather dust on a shelf, if that still happens in the digital age.

Besides, the media's problems have been endlessly chewed over by the chattering classes at forums, seminars, discussions and panels (including one I moderated in New York that featured, yes, Dan Rather). Indeed, such talkathons may be keeping Aspen's economy afloat...

[La Lydia]

Even Howard Kurtz isn't buying Dan Rather's BS.

[combat_boots]

How to make a printer’s hat:

http://www.edpadgett.com/blog/2006/05/making-printers-hat.html

[Carl LaFong]

Correction of headline: “The press loves Obama”.

[EyeGuy]

“The news business, as Rather wrote in a Washington Post op-ed, is in deep trouble..”

####

That is because over the past several decades, they have not been in the NEWS business, but instead engaged in the business of dispensing Leftist propaganda.

Rather should know: He was a substantial part of the destruction of the American news media.

[Ev Reeman]

Gocernment control of the press is unconstitutional.

[EyeGuy]

“Government control of the press is unconstitutional.”

####

Right.

But when Democrats and the Left are in power they have no need to control the press.

They provide lockstep support, 24/7 without being asked.

[La Lydia]

Howard Kurtz should know that, too.

[dog breath]

Somebody should explain to Dan Rather that things change, technology marches on. I delight in shooting black powder guns, collect knives and other edged weapons but I don't expect that any presidential commission will ever make them the prime choice for self defense in this century. Newspapers and other print media have seen their day. They will be available to those who want them, but much like my black powder guns they will be for a minority who appreciate them.