Media Matters: Scooter Libby and the Media Debacle

[Hissyspit]

http://mediamatters.org/columns/200702060006

Tue, Feb 6, 2007 1:11pm EST
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Scooter Libby and the media debacle
by Eric Boehlert

The New York Times made headlines last week when it tapped a new D.C. bureau chief. But if the paper of record really wanted to jump-start its Beltway news operation, maybe it should have tried to lure Patrick Fitzgerald away from the Department of Justice.

Let's face it, as special counsel in charge of investigating the Valerie Plame CIA leak, and now the lead prosecutor in D.C. federal court methodically laying out the damning evidence of perjury, obstruction, and lying against Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, Fitzgerald has consistently shown more interest -- and determination -- in uncovering the facts of the Plame scandal than most Beltway journalists, including the often somnambulant D.C. newsroom of The New York Times.

- snip -

It's true that Fitzgerald's team had subpoena power that no journalist could match. But reporters in this case had a trump card of their own: inside information. Sadly, most journalists remained mum about the coveted and often damning facts, dutifully keeping their heads down and doing their best to make sure the details never got out about the White House's obsession with discrediting former Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV by outing his undercover CIA wife, Valerie Plame.

So as the facts of the White House cover-up now tumble out into open court, it's important to remember that if it hadn't been for Fitzgerald's work, there's little doubt the Plame story would have simply faded into oblivion like so many other disturbing suggestions of Bush administration misdeeds. And it would have faded away because lots of high-profile journalists at The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, and NBC wanted it to.

In a sense, it was Watergate in reverse. Instead of digging for the truth, lots of journalists tried to bury it. The sad fact remains the press was deeply involved in the cover-up, as journalists reported White House denials regarding the Plame leak despite the fact scores of them received the leak and knew the White House was spreading rampant misinformation about an unfolding criminal case.

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[riderinthestorm]

1. Honored to be the first k and r!

[peacetalksforall]

5. The comparison to Watergate is perfect. Congratulations, Media Matters!

For telling it exactly as it is. I hope this goes into the books that will be written so that our descendents will know how low our media landed.

[flyarm]

2. i cry for my once proud nation ..in the hands of this so called filthy media..and this murderous

white house...

how pathetic this nation has become..sad and pathetic...and i hold the media accountable..i just wish we could put those responsible in jail for a very long time..for this conspiracy against this nation!!

fly

[flyarm]

3. #2 K&R

[oldtime dfl_er]

4. Fitz for Supreme Court!

and to hell with the cocktail circuit "journalists" of the beltway. (apologies to whoever used that phrase last week - I usurped it because it's perfect)

[H2O Man]

6. Great article.

They also had a good one exposing Brit Hume for lying about Wilson and a Washington Post article.

[Hissyspit]

7. .

[Gabi Hayes]

8. when's the last time Boehlert's been on any of the gasbag shows?

as opposed to, say, Bernie Goldberg?

just sayin'.....


http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0743289315/ref=sib_dp_pt/104-6700607-0957545#reader-link

[Hissyspit]

9. .

[Hissyspit]

10. .

[fooj]

11. Willful compliance.

:grr:

[mmonk]

12. This is a problem that could

eventually shut the door on freedom (a press that doesn't inform and in many cases is dishonest).

[malaise]

13. Great read

A pox on all of MSM

The sad fact remains the press was deeply involved in the cover-up, as journalists reported White House denials regarding the Plame leak despite the fact scores of them received the leak and knew the White House was spreading rampant misinformation about an unfolding criminal case.

[Hissyspit]

14. One more kick for a good article. n/t

[underpants]

15. Great article but let's not forget the first target of their ruthless attacks

Scott Ritter

[Hissyspit]

16. Yeah, good point. No, I still haven't forgotten.

I remember, and this was before I had found DU and was feeling pretty isolated and lonesome, see it pop up on CNN Headline News and saying outloud "Oh, no. They're going after him. It's started."