Journalists Looking For Government Money 323
We've been following the ongoing struggles of the print media, watching as some publications have died off and others have held to outdated principles and decried the influence of the internet. A side effect of this has been many journalists put out of work and many others fearful that informed reporting is on its way out as well. Now, an editorial in the Washington Post calls for a solution journalists would likely have scoffed at only a few years ago: federal subsidies. Robert W. McChesney and John Nichols write, "What to do? Bailing out media conglomerates would be morally and politically absurd. These firms have run journalism into the ground. If they cannot make it, let them go. Wait for 'pay-wall' technologies, billionaire philanthropists or unimagined business models to generate enough news to meet the immense demands of a self-governing society? There is no evidence that such a panacea is on the horizon. This leaves one place to look for a solution: the government." They hasten to add, "Did we just call for state-run media? Quite the opposite."
They Already Represent the Government (Score:1, Funny)
Hell, every large newspaper in the United States already represents the same lobbyist/corporate line as the government. Why shouldn't the government pay them, and make it official?
Re:Hurray for the "free" press! (Score:2, Funny)
What a fantastic way to ensure a free press: have them paid by the very institution they're supposed to be the watchdogs for.
I find that hard to believe. Where are Jon and Kate Gosselin going to get the money?
Re:Oh, they'll criticize the government all right. (Score:1, Funny)
It sure is wonderful that you don't actually back up your statement with any facts, but just rather some kind of random opinion! You could TOTALLY be a news reporter on Fox News!