I don't know whether he is a US citizen. But certainly he is making this stage of his career here — and, as you say, he illustrates the idea that people who have chosen the country know it in a different way from those who take it for granted.
Russian journalists are restrained by threats from their government; American journalists are restrained by threats to their livelihoods for not producing what will sell. It's called "corporate media" for a reason. Fox "News" no longer claims to be "Fair & Balanced" - now they're "Most Watched - Most Trusted." The more readers/viewers, the better.
Roger Ailes taught us the best way to attract viewers in the US is to manufacturer outrage. From the phony "War on Christmas" to allegations that millions of illegal immigrants are voting and getting "free stuff" at the expense of hard-working Americans, Fox has kept their viewers chomping at the bit for more every evening, like a drug addict. Other media outlets, one by one, have dutifully followed. Ancient standards like accuracy, impartiality and fairness have all bowed down to the god of profit. Is anyone surprised that we wound up with a con man in the White House and a gigantic portion of voters who suddenly lost faith in our electoral apparatus on the word of that one charlatan?
Yes, it's lovely - and nostalgic - to return to the sort of Gerald R. Ford soiree where folks are willing to laugh at themselves while simultaneously patting one another on the back for their high rates of teamwork. But I'm compelled to do a bit of research to determine whether Mark Felt, Bob Woodward or Carl Bernstein attended the WHCA dinner in 1973.
I will be interested in what you find about WHCA circa 1973. I will be surprised if you find that Woodward/ Bernstein attended — but, again, I don't know.
My own view is that *cultural* forces in the DC press — what counts for the esteem of your peers, what will get you criticism for being "harsh" or "predictable," what will gain you praise (or TV slots etc) — matter at least as much as ownership issues. But I may be viewing this from inside-the-system.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the Nerd Prom. It’s the coziness I object to mainly. The WHCD exemplifies the bubble these folks share and live within. The ‘stars’ in attendance cheapen it imo. As to this year’s prom, I totally agree with you, Mr Fallows. The President and Trevor Noah, a great pick, were pitch perfect. Let’s hope covid isn’t the headline that comes out as the lede in coming days.
The truly sad thing is that today freedom of speech is as apt to be restricted by those on the left as those on the right and one time defenders of free speech like the ACLU are completely awol.
so interesting, thanks for sharing your thoughts !
I could not agree more with your observations, reflections, and conclusions.
Trevor Noah is, I assume, an American by choice. Folks who chose to be here often understand us better than the long timers.
I don't know whether he is a US citizen. But certainly he is making this stage of his career here — and, as you say, he illustrates the idea that people who have chosen the country know it in a different way from those who take it for granted.
Russian journalists are restrained by threats from their government; American journalists are restrained by threats to their livelihoods for not producing what will sell. It's called "corporate media" for a reason. Fox "News" no longer claims to be "Fair & Balanced" - now they're "Most Watched - Most Trusted." The more readers/viewers, the better.
Roger Ailes taught us the best way to attract viewers in the US is to manufacturer outrage. From the phony "War on Christmas" to allegations that millions of illegal immigrants are voting and getting "free stuff" at the expense of hard-working Americans, Fox has kept their viewers chomping at the bit for more every evening, like a drug addict. Other media outlets, one by one, have dutifully followed. Ancient standards like accuracy, impartiality and fairness have all bowed down to the god of profit. Is anyone surprised that we wound up with a con man in the White House and a gigantic portion of voters who suddenly lost faith in our electoral apparatus on the word of that one charlatan?
Yes, it's lovely - and nostalgic - to return to the sort of Gerald R. Ford soiree where folks are willing to laugh at themselves while simultaneously patting one another on the back for their high rates of teamwork. But I'm compelled to do a bit of research to determine whether Mark Felt, Bob Woodward or Carl Bernstein attended the WHCA dinner in 1973.
I will be interested in what you find about WHCA circa 1973. I will be surprised if you find that Woodward/ Bernstein attended — but, again, I don't know.
My own view is that *cultural* forces in the DC press — what counts for the esteem of your peers, what will get you criticism for being "harsh" or "predictable," what will gain you praise (or TV slots etc) — matter at least as much as ownership issues. But I may be viewing this from inside-the-system.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the Nerd Prom. It’s the coziness I object to mainly. The WHCD exemplifies the bubble these folks share and live within. The ‘stars’ in attendance cheapen it imo. As to this year’s prom, I totally agree with you, Mr Fallows. The President and Trevor Noah, a great pick, were pitch perfect. Let’s hope covid isn’t the headline that comes out as the lede in coming days.
Thank you for this. Now I don't need to watch the whole thing, but I feel I have indeed gotten the best of it.
Esther, thank you, and thanks for reading.
The truly sad thing is that today freedom of speech is as apt to be restricted by those on the left as those on the right and one time defenders of free speech like the ACLU are completely awol.