There's a piece by the Associated Press about the Obama White House's handling of media relations. Summed up (but you can read it in full here - http://newsle.com/article/0/67931347/): This White House is leveraging social media to the max, and cutting way back on opening events to even a small press pool, which has always been the standard. Their defense: Everyone can access the White House-controlled coverage via the web and judge for themselves. The alternative arguement: It eliminates objective observation by trained folks in the media. Take yer choice on which you prefer.
Me? A little bit of both, please. Having worked in the White House Press Office, I fully understand the lure of not having the media second-guess, highlight gaffes, and more. As a citizen, I do want someone other than the ones making the news telling me what the news is (feels a little Soviet Russia to me). I can get plenty of viewpoints on cable TV or the web. I agree with my old friend Mike McCurry, President Clinton's press secretary and one of the best, who says in the article:
"I never would have dreamed of in terms of restricting access for independent news organizations.What gets lost are those revealing moments when the president's held accountable by the representatives of the public who are there in the form of the media."
It may feel good when you're on the White House press staff, but it isn't good for democracy.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2302692/How-Obama-blocking-reporters-wrapping-bubble-exercise-ultimate-control-public-image.html#ixzz2PJoArJi8
Me? A little bit of both, please. Having worked in the White House Press Office, I fully understand the lure of not having the media second-guess, highlight gaffes, and more. As a citizen, I do want someone other than the ones making the news telling me what the news is (feels a little Soviet Russia to me). I can get plenty of viewpoints on cable TV or the web. I agree with my old friend Mike McCurry, President Clinton's press secretary and one of the best, who says in the article:
"I never would have dreamed of in terms of restricting access for independent news organizations.What gets lost are those revealing moments when the president's held accountable by the representatives of the public who are there in the form of the media."
It may feel good when you're on the White House press staff, but it isn't good for democracy.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2302692/How-Obama-blocking-reporters-wrapping-bubble-exercise-ultimate-control-public-image.html#ixzz2PJoArJi8
RSS Feed