What Happened to the Fair Press?

摘要

Name a national news organization that commands the respect of Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals. Can't do it? Neither can I, but as the head of The Media Institute and as a citizen, I wish I could. At a time when there is no governmental institution in America-and scarcely any institution of any kind-that is not the subject of contempt or contention, the news media have a rare opportunity right now to play a meaningful and unifying role, and in the process to do wonders for their own flagging fortunes. But it's not happening. The United States today is fairly seething with fear and anger. It is no over- statement to say that many people in this country, left and right, hate some of their fellow Americans-a state of mind that will only be exacerbated as the presidential campaign yields a winner, and as the financial crisis takes its inevitable toll.