When it comes to journalists socializing and otherwise cozying up to the powerful, there’s not a lot new under the sun. More than 20 years ago, then-FAIR associates Martin Lee and Norman Solomon wrote about it in their book Unreliable Sources:
TV’s top journalists are part of the wealthy and influential elite, often socializing with people they’re supposed to be scrutinizing. At an awards banquet for the Radio & Television Correspondents Association during Reagan’s second term, Kathleen Sullivan (at the time with ABC) was photographed on the arm of then-Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, while CBS Face the Nation host Lesley Stahl greeted the Republican Party’s national chairman Frank Fahrenkopf with a kiss.
But an eye-popping new piece from the political conventions by the Washington Post‘s Paul Fahri (9/4/12), suggests that journalists and media organizations may be taking the practice to a new level–in some cases, literally scratching–or rather massaging– politicians’ backs:
The HuffPost Oasis, where media literally massage politicians (photo by Mallory Benedict/NewsHour)
At the HuffingtonPost‘s “Oasis” spas in Charlotte and Tampa, delegates and VIPs at the Democratic and Republican conventions have been treated to free sleep consultations, stress-reduction advice and yoga classes. The politically connected can get back rubs courtesy of the media organization (with a choice of massage oils).
Essential wining and dining is also included, according to Fahri:
Over at the CNN Grill, an elaborate, fully functioning restaurant-turned-TV-news-set within the convention center’s secure perimeter, food and drinks are on the house for invited bigwigs such as Newt Gingrich and Tom Brokaw. Guests can receive souvenir photos of themselves.
(There is apparently no truth to the rumor that CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer hand-fed peeled grapes to Mitt Romney in Tampa last week.)
There seem to be few ethical qualms about these practices, which are apparently excellent for business:
Media executives say the investment is worthwhile, that entertaining political elites (as well as members of the media) pays off in intangible goodwill and favorable word of mouth. “It’s been incredibly successful” in raising awareness of the HuffingtonPost‘s health and lifestyle coverage, said Arianna Huffington of her company’s massage venue, whose visitors on Tuesday included House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), she said.
Fahri touches on the essential problem with socializing and currying favor with those you are supposed to be scrutinizing:
Given its traditional role as a watchdog of the powerful, the media’s desire to party with the parties raises a question or two. In particular, how does schmoozing the ruling class square with reporters’ supposed vows of neutrality and independence? Are news organizations much different in this regard from the corporations and trade groups that are rolling out social events for Democrats and Republicans?
The answer seems to be no, as lobbyists to are included in the media-sponsored convention fun:
Politico, meanwhile, has been sponsoring a nightly “lounge” near the conventions with free cocktails and appetizers for its guests. The lounge, called the Hub, is “presented by” BAE Systems, Coca-Cola, Diageo and Intel, four companies with a big stake in Washington’s policy debates.
Kudos go to Fahri for this reporting which can’t have made him popular with his colleagues in the press…or his bosses, about whom he writes:
The Washington Post‘s extracurricular activities at the conventions are relatively modest. The news organization has been hosting panel discussions about energy issues at both gatherings and “newsmaker” breakfasts that are streamed on its Web site. It also scheduled trivia events called Politics & Pints at a supper club in Tampa and a bar in Charlotte. The trivia events are sponsored by Norfolk Southern Corp.
Of course, the kind of reporting Fahri has done here should be routine. The reason it isn’t seems obvious.
“Relatively modest” or not, Fahri’s bosses at the Post will make certain that their and the rest of the corpress’ sycophany has a limited engagement on its pages, wouldn’t you think?
Dissonance may be fashionable in some quarters
But these folks are classicists to the core.
@DL: Sycophany? Classicists? But the corpress is supposed to dis the Dear Misleader gummint, innit?
Not much is going to happen, The media Moguls and the Politicians have been in bed for so long, that even photos of them caught in the act of sleeping together has little effect.
Those of us who knew this all along, and are pissed can’t do anything about it on our own, and the ones who are their side anyway, the loyal base just sees it as “what I am going to get when I get successful” in spite of the fact that those they follow are slamming the doors on them, even after feasting in the public soup line.
There is just two few left who do not already know and have made their decisions known.
I think the only way we are ever going to get the politicos attention is to all vote on someone other than than the “two candidates picked out for us, by the corporations.”
And yet there is one “media mogul”who has little- if any contact, or friendships within the political realm.He is a mountain unto himself.He has no guests.Does no interviews.Receives few if any “weekend phone calls”(he is deaf and phone calls are next to impossible for him)or correspondence, from the powers that be.He spends his down time with friends ,and loved ones.He cares not one wit what anyone thinks.And yet…you hate him above all.Rush Limbaugh.No one like him, in his separation from the people he endorses,AND lampoons.
Beyond that friendships ,and even love should not stop you from telling the truth as you believe in it.James Carville and his wife are shinning examples of that.
” . . . (he is deaf and phone calls are next to impossible for him . . . . ” Said, of course, without a trace of irony. He’s a mountain, all right–a mountain of pure, frightened bullshit and mis-placed rage. Maybe his good friend Elton John (and John’s partner, David) and the Great Man sit around and tell jokes at Madonna’s expense.
Tim he has an implant device,and a support staff that allows him to do his show.He is in fact deaf.He may not say what you want to hear, but you must acknowledge with what I hope is grudging respect ,that after decades of the lefts total machine trying to destroy him…..that they have not laid a glove.That is not bullshit he is shoveling.He never could of lasted a year if it was(Air America).He simply stands up for classic conservative American values.He uncovers the lefts ideology with a laser like perception, and rapier wit,and tears the left a new one.Rage????You must not listen to his show.He is a delightful little fuzzball(his words)Has a ball every day.Jocularity is a word I would use in describing him.Listen to one show.Wont kill you Tim.Have you ever?????
Great site, stick with it!