Media and The Press

Orville Schell's article was very captivating. I had heard before I read the article about the Bush Administration being very hard to get the "truth" out of. Bush gained the reputation of always answering certain questions the same way and of having a "script" in mind rather then open and honest answers.

When I read about Carol Coleman having to submit her questions in to the White House before she went for the interview I was annoyed. I saw it as another reason why so many people in America and around the world hated Bush and his administration. When a reporter has to submit his/her questions in advance it takes away from the whole idea of an interview. Interviews are meant to be unplanned and unexpected because that is when the truth comes out. Interviews are meant to learn information from. Planned answers having nothing to do with the question being asked because the answer ends up being for show and not the real answer.

When political figures are interviewed they are obviously guided to an extent on what to say and what not to say, but by knowing the questions that they are going to be asked it allows them time to think and devise answers to questions that fit the criteria of being "safe." Political figures often dodge difficult questions because they are always trying to maintain popularity and keep a good face for the world to see. I think that it is the job of the media to find ways around political figures getting questions before interviews, and grilling them when they get the chance. 

Bush knew that being the President was going to be a very tough job that involved a lot of discussion between him and the public through reporters. The media made him look dishonest and dumb because he didn't take it seriously. A good political figure needs to be honest and a good journalist needs to be able to get answers for tough questions and be willing to put important people in uncomfortable situations.

In this video Bush is portrayed very badly and if he had been more honest and open with the media it most likely would not have happened. Political figures need to be taught to be honest and to confront the media rather then hiding and running from it.

The article did bring up a good point about media being split into two tiers. There are the few major news outlets like CBS and NBC, and then there is the internet outlet that anyone can use to write their opinions. The second tier I mentioned is more alternative because it is not run by a huge company and people can say their opinions openly.  I think news is heading towards the alternative direction because people like to read honest opinions. I think that there will always be one major news provider but a lot more people are moving away from the first tier of media because of reasons that Schell described.

Journalists have a goal and that is to seek answers and reveal them to the world. When politics get in the way of truth and answers journalists cannot do their jobs properly.