It's no secret the print newspaper industry is struggling. It's become all too common to hear that papers, like the Christian Science Monitor or the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, have ceased publishing a print edition and gone completely online.
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright addressed this challenge and its impact on a government at the Aspen Institute's Forum on Communications and Society earlier this month. According to Albright, the fourth estate was intended to keep government in check and that countries without a free press tend to be authoritarian societies.
"Let me just say, in terms of Democracy and the free press, I think it is absolutely an essential part and all we have to do is go back and look at our Constitution," Albright said. "But I have looked at this from a number of different angles. When I was an academic, wrote about the role of the press internationally in political change. And there is no question in my mind, in terms of authoritarian societies, if you do not have information, you can't operate and it is power."
However, Albright wasn't as convinced our society can keep power in check relying on online sources of news, specifically the blogosphere. She compared the news on blogs to the rumors that played a role in the opposition to the authoritarian regimes installed in Eastern Europe after World War II during the Cold War. According to the former Secretary of State,
"The part that I find interesting is that one of things - I wrote about the press in Czechoslovakia in 1968 and in Poland during the solidarity period - but part of the problem was that people were operating on rumors and so when [former LA Times editor and Knight Commission member] John Carroll talks about the truth that the official media or a media can publish the truth, makes a big difference," Albright said.
"And so, one of the questions that I have is that as there are so many aspects of the blogosphere, etc. - how much of it is rumor and how much of it is truth because it is kind of the opposite of what I've found earlier."
Albright admitted her bias for print newspaper and also her bias against conservative-leaning papers.
"Finally, just to say - I am a complete news junkie, but I'm still into newspapers," Albright said. "Every morning I get up, I begin with the Washington Times to make me crazy. Then I go to The Washington Post, then I go to The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal, then the Financial Times. And I feel that I need to read all of those in order to get what it is I need."
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
I have the same question, Madeline!
August 29, 2009 - 06:52 ET by FeynmanFanIn the piece above, Albright is quoted as follows:
What a coincidence! I have the very same question about the MSM!
"I support the President but not his policies" - Blonde
FF, you haven't grasped the
August 29, 2009 - 07:03 ET by motherbeltFF, you haven't grasped the obvious here....if it comes from the MSM, it's fact....the blogosphere is nothing but rumors and conjecture.
After all, the MSM guys wear nice clothes and have nice offices, and make good money doing what they do. Bloggers are those guys in their pajamas writing in their living rooms (if they have one; more likely they are still living in their parents' basements).
Well, at least Madeleine acknowledges their right to speak....some think there should be "gatekeepers" on the internet...you know, to decide what should be allowed....you can't have people just spouting off, without safeguards and fact-checking, after all! You know, like the NYT and the other big newspapers!
mb, I got that
August 29, 2009 - 07:12 ET by FeynmanFanThat was the point of asking the same question about the MSM.
I might not be the brightest bulb on the string, but I have keen eye for the obvious! ;)
"I support the President but not his policies" - Blonde
OK, I got nailed for not
August 29, 2009 - 07:17 ET by motherbeltOK, I got nailed for not using the \sarc tag.....I thought it was obvious that I was agreeing with you.
mb - LOL!
August 29, 2009 - 07:22 ET by FeynmanFanYou were not "nailed," dear motherbelt. I missed your point.
Which refutes my claim about having a keen eye for the obvious! I probably should have just stuck with not being the brightest bulb on the string... ;)
"I support the President but not his policies" - Blonde
That's OK; it's early, you
August 29, 2009 - 07:51 ET by motherbeltThat's OK; it's early, you probably haven't had enough coffee yet...LOL
mb,See what
August 29, 2009 - 14:36 ET by Chris Normanmb,
See what misunderstandings can occur if one isn't already known as a sarcastic SOB like I am? :)
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
The very quote illustrates
August 29, 2009 - 07:38 ET by nadadhimmiThe very quote illustrates the extreme lack of intellectual rigor Albright has always demonstrated. Her mind in a birdsnest of unconnected and illogical impulses. Her judgement in almost any matter should be dismissed as faulty.
HalfBright
August 29, 2009 - 07:03 ET by canuckGiven her track record why would anyone care what this liberal piece of feculance thinks...if in fact she does think. I am surprised Zero doesn't employ her as his Apology Czar so she could travel the world apologizing for George Bush and his determination to keep us safe from our enemies and confering autographed basketballs on our enemies.
Too bad she didn't get a ride from Teddy before she was at State, but then that whole Department needed a thorough housecleaning, one that George W failed to do to our ongoing peril. Enemies "domestic".
Unfortunately, in our
August 29, 2009 - 07:18 ET by motherbeltUnfortunately, in our political sphere, even the biggest screwups, once their terms are done, suddenly become "statesmen" (or women) and their words should be considered as a "lamp unto [our] feet," guiding the way.
Fortunately, however, Madeleine can't do us any more damage in an official capacity. All she can do is give speeches and admire her brooch collection.
The Blagosphere - Drudge -
August 29, 2009 - 08:28 ET by Worriedis where to go for those who want to know. That's why Dictator Obama wants to be able to seize computers.
What will it be like when there is no where to find TRUTH if Obama's radical FCC chairman seizes control of the TRUTH.
Remember, the truth will set you free. Without it we are cooked.
Too bad most newspapers have abandoned their responsibility.
August 29, 2009 - 08:53 ET by porterjervisMost have prostituted themselves for political gain. Its laughable when liberal politicials complain about a biased media.
The Washington Times should be the newspaper of record in Washington. In all the years I've read it, it has never compromised its principles.
If only this is what she really meant
August 29, 2009 - 08:58 ET by Ole_SargeAlbright: Insists Press Must Play an Adversarial Role with Government in Democracy
The MSM is FAILING to do their primary job of being the one to point at "the Emperor's New Clothes." They are in league and "in the bed" of the ruling party elites.
No, the BLOGGERS are taking up where the MSM left off. Many ARE out of work journalists (Daily Kos, Huffinton Post, Michael Yon, PJ Media and many others). So to say BLOGGERs are ALL kooks are to call your own self a kook. What's the difference after all?
Like so many others, who ARE NOT BEING HEEDED, I can see this country being dragged down the road to totalitarianism at the hands of the current democrat party elite. I have a suspicion that Barry Dunham-Obama is not that smart, not that well spoken and not that well organized on him own.
IF, he were to fail, or otherwise rendered "non-essential," on the political scene someone else will take his place. Joe Biden is a distraction, and really, neither Clinton is much better.
The MSM ought to be looking for the "man behind the drapes and curtains" not at the show of the all powerful wizard of Oz.
Sarge,
August 29, 2009 - 11:55 ET by UpNorththe "man behind the drapes and curtains" is a refugee from Hungary, one who hates the United States. George Soros manipulated his way to untold financial power, and the dems kneel at his feet to get a handout. The only trouble with your last paragraph is, the State Run Media knows this, they choose to willingly ignore it.
Well red madeline....
August 29, 2009 - 08:59 ET by acumen"Every morning I get up, I begin with the Washington Times to make me crazy. Then I go to The Washington Post....
Presumably for a more in-depth analysis of the latest allegory of "macaca".
August 29, 2009 - 09:34 ET by jessieHIf that's what she is reading, she is not getting the truth. She is reading what the govt. wants her to think.
Albright Admits She is Crazy
August 29, 2009 - 10:36 ET by allanfThat's how the story would be covered by NBC, CBS, ABC and CNN if Albright were a conservative Republican.
Halfbright is already a crazy Lib, so how can a newspaper...
August 29, 2009 - 13:32 ET by jawebster1make her what she is already? (Posted without checking to see if anyone else posted a similar comment). Jim Webster
At her advanced age if she
August 29, 2009 - 19:19 ET by snaggletoothieAt her advanced age if she still has not learned anything about separating fact from rumor, it probably isn't going to happen for her: just another poor lost Democrat elitist.
Don't Hold Your Breath.......
August 29, 2009 - 22:41 ET by gordonAlbright Insists Press Must Play an Adversarial Role with Government in Democracy
Great idea! When's it gonna start?
Dear ms dimbulb...
August 30, 2009 - 09:19 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonNewspaper offer a product, called the 'news'.
The version they want to 'sell' has no value to the vast majority of consumers, ergo, nobody is willing to pay for a crappy product.
What used to be a locked in market was the coupons in the Sunday editions where the coupon holders couls save literally hundreds of dollars for their 50 cent investment no longer care to save money if it means throwing away their values.
That, and the fact that the rags have taised their Sunday prices beyond belief in a failing attempt to bolster their weekday losses.
http://gjresult.com