December 10, 2003

Politics and the Press

Senator Paul Simon passed away Tuesday. I thought of him the same way I did Paul Tsongas; both were principled men who tried hard to do the right thing.

They worked within a political system which has increasingly become one of TV ads, interviews with pundits, and soundbites. Howard Dean seems to be attempting to escape that system, and Jay Rosen has some thoughts about that and what impact it might have for political journalism. Rosen is a press critic who's interested in "the ideas about journalism that journalists work within, and those they feel they can work without. I try to discover the consequences in the world that result from having the kind of press we do."

In his article Rosen calls this article the most definitive one yet on the Dean phenomenon; I linked to it back here. I'm inclined to agree with him; it sure does more to explain it than anything the NYT or WaPo have yet produced. Rosen thinks "Big Media" (my phrase) hasn't yet figured it out. It's a good essay, and if you're interested in politics and how journalists cover it, I recommend it.

Posted by Linkmeister at December 10, 2003 12:01 AM
Comments

Is there something special about the name Paul in contemporary American politics? Tsongas, Wellstone, Simon ... all men of immense integrity, dedicated to standing up for what's good and strong and decent.

Sadly, all departed far too early.

Posted by: N in Seattle at December 9, 2003 11:26 PM

Is this the same Simon whom they resurrected the song: "Simple Simon Says"??

Posted by: toxiclabrat at December 10, 2003 10:43 AM

Haven't heard that one, Ms. Toxic.

N, I hadn't thought of it, but I don't think I'd carry it too far with the names; there are probably some duds too. ;)

Posted by: Linkmeister at December 10, 2003 11:25 AM

Right as rain. Does the name Wolfowitz ring a bell?

Posted by: N in Seattle at December 10, 2003 01:07 PM