“Good media is the Fourth Estate.” says Joe Kahn, the executive editor of The New York Times. He continues with “it’s another pillar of democracy.” All well and good. As far as it goes. It doesn’t even come close to going far enough apparently for the folks at the Times. This interview in Semafor certainly proves Kahn and his publisher A. G.Sulzberger are missing the story, the point, and the knife at their own throats.
Here’s the quote that opens up the window on their self-centered delusion:
It’s also true that Trump could win this election in a popular vote. Given that Trump’s not in office, it will probably be fair. And there’s a very good chance, based on our polling and other independent polling, that he will win that election in a popular vote. So there are people out there in the world who may decide, based on their democratic rights, to elect Donald Trump as president. It is not the job of the news media to prevent that from happening. It’s the job of Biden and the people around Biden to prevent that from happening.
Again, as far as it goes it makes sense AND what I think many of us believed about how journalism should work in our political system. But that political system doesn’t exist anymore. You have to have some powerful blinders to not see that. Either that or be far too comfortable living within a myth of mostly your own making.
The very political system that guarantees The Times it’s right to think, write, and publish that way is being threatened by someone and a party that aren’t shy about abandoning the constitution that guarantees Kahn the ability to do his job as he sees it.
As I say far too often the media will cover its own funeral until the last shovel of dirt is tossed into the grave. If you think I’m being hyperbolic, you aren’t paying attention.
You can read the entire interview here. Photo by Olkesandr_U
You can find more of my writings on a variety of topics on Medium at this link, including in the publications Ellemeno and Rome.
Life on the Wicked Stage: Act 3 