Short Version
The 7/21/19 Sunday edition of The Hartford Courant encapsulates the state of the 4th estate. The Courant, like so many other newspapers, is no longer a “newspaper” but rather an aggregator of other’s “news”. Think of a print Drudge Report. The front section of the 7/21 paper had only 4 out of the 16 headlined articles written by Courant “reporters”.
In the reprint of an Associated Press article, “’Dumbfake’ videos pose deep threat”, the authors raise the issue of altered videos and the potential for viewers to be fooled. The second article is a reprint of the Washington Post article “Lord of the Wings”. That article’s secondary headline reads, “Mulvaney builds ’an empire for the right’…” Here we have an example of the hardcore investigative reporting that permeates today’s “news”.
The article starts with a recounting of a meeting between Mulvaney and then Secretary of Labor, Acosta that they say ‘“became known inside the West Wing as “the woodshed meeting”’. That is, according to “advisers and a person close to the White House”. It uses this accounting of a meeting to say it “…illustrates the growing influence wielded by Mulvaney, a former Tea Party member…”. The full-page article then goes on to say, “this account of Mulvaney’s rising power is based on interviews with 32 White House Aides, current and former administration officials, lawmakers, and legislative staffers, some (italics added) of whom requested anonymity to speak candidly.” They did not speak with Mulvaney directly.
Most of the article’s points were obtained from, “Advisers say”, “White House Aides”, “senior administration officials”, “Trump Advisers”, “other advisers”, people familiar with the matter”, and “GOP aides”. Even a “private conversation with Senator Lyndsey Graham” is not confirmed by either party.
No one spoke directly to his “building an empire” as the authors would have you believe in their secondary headline.
The continued use by reporters who hide behind anonymous sources only adds to the suspicion of discerning readers and the growing mistrust of what should be our eyes and ears into governance.
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The Full Version
The 7/21/19 Sunday edition of The Hartford Courant encapsulates the state of the 4th estate. The Courant, like so many other newspapers, is no longer a “newspaper” but rather an aggregator of other’s “news”. Think of a print Drudge Report. The front section of the 7/21 paper had only 4 out of the 16 headlined articles written by Courant “reporters”. Of the 4, 2 writers wrote or contributed to 2 of the stories, and of those front-page stories, one was an obituary and the other on the heat wave. So much for hard core, front-page, investigative reporting.
In the reprint of an Associated Press article, “’Dumbfake’ videos pose deep threat”, the authors raise the issue of altered videos and the potential for viewers to be fooled. New technology can make it very easy to alter videos in ways that cannot be discerned by the uneducated. The second article is a reprint of the Washington Post article “Lord of the Wings”. That article’s secondary headline reads, “Mulvaney builds ’an empire for the right’…” Here we have an example of the hardcore investigative reporting that permeates today’s “news”.
The article starts with a recounting of a meeting between Mulvaney and then Secretary of Labor, Acosta that they say ‘“became known inside the West Wing as “the woodshed meeting”’. The article suggests that Acosta finally acted on the “blunt” instructions Mulvaney gave him. That is, according to “advisers and a person close to the White House”. It uses this accounting of a meeting to say it “…illustrates the growing influence wielded by Mulvaney, a former Tea Party member…”. The full-page article then goes on to say, “this account of Mulvaney’s rising power is based on interviews with 32 White House Aides, current and former administration officials, lawmakers, and legislative staffers, some (italics added) of whom requested anonymity to speak candidly.” They did not speak with Mulvaney directly.
The Washington Post reporters are, Seung Min Kim, Lisa Rein, Josh Dawsey and Erica Werner. Most of the article’s points were obtained from, “Advisers say”, “White House Aides”, “senior administration officials”, “Trump Advisers”, “other advisers”, people familiar with the matter”, and “GOP aides”. Even a “private conversation with Senator Lyndsey Graham” is not confirmed by either party. When they do quote someone, you’re left with no context. They quote Charmaine Yoest who once served “senior roles” in the Trump White House who said, “You have a chief of staff with a professional commitment…”. A story about him forcing out people was disputed by a quoted person, HHS spokesperson, Caitlin Oakley. Senator Shelby was asked if Mulvaney is a positive force. They wrote, he “paused for 10 seconds”. ‘“Shelby eventually said Mulvaney was “engaged” …’ Senator Tester thought a reach out to him by Mulvaney was so that Mulvaney could get on TV. Senator Cramer is reported to praise Mulvaney for his performance. Even the one quote attributed to Mulvaney was “according to two White House officials”. No one spoke directly to his “building an empire” as the authors would have you believe in their secondary headline.
If you think videos can fool you, just think how these so-called investigative reports can have you believe whatever it is the author wants. If by “some” people you mean MOST don’t want to talk on record, then say it. Reporters need to ask themselves how to corroborate what these reluctant interviewees say rather than to leave us to trust their judgement on its validity. The continued use by reporters who hide behind anonymous sources only adds to the suspicion of discerning readers and the growing mistrust of what should be our eyes and ears into governance
Current Day Publius 