Washington Post columnist
Michael Gerson laments the death of "objectivity" which he
blames on cable TV news, free markets and bloggers:
Most cable news networks have forsaken objectivity entirely and
produce little actual news, since makeup for guests is cheaper
than reporting. . . .
Free markets, it turns out, often make poor fact-checkers,
instead feeding the fantasies of conspiracy theorists from
"birthers" to Sept. 11, 2001, "truthers."
Bloggers in repressive countries often show great courage, but
few American bloggers have the resources or inclination to
report from war zones, famines and genocides.
Gerson's payroll position at a think tank funded by
Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, of course, qualifies him
to look down his elitist nose at the rest of us. (We don't live
in "repressive countries" and therefore lack "great courage,"
which Gerson obviously possesses in incomparable measure.)
Prince Al-Waleed is
reportedly the 22nd richest man in the world. For all I
know, the prince also gives generously to the American Spectator
Foundation -- and if not, he certainly should
-- but I've spent too many years in the news business
to sit still for lectures from a worthless
think-tank wonk like Michael Gerson.
"Herewith, a brief primer" -- indeed!
