In “sharing my do's and don'ts” as a journalist, Washington Post humor columnist Gene Weingarten found good fodder in the presumption journalists are out to help liberals and Democrats while hurting conservatives and Republicans. “When deliberately slanting stories in support of liberal causes, always cover your tracks by quoting the other side,” he advised. “Example: 'President Obama wants universal health care, whereas Rush Limbaugh, the big fat drug addict, contends it is a bad idea.'”
That's not far from reality.
Two more of the bits of advice he offered in “Unfit to print: The secrets that journalists never told you, until now,” his “Below the Beltway” column on the back page of the December 13 Washington Post Magazine:
♦ Remember always that your word is your bond. “Off the record” means off the record, unless it's something you can use to embarrass a Republican.
♦ Never, ever write directly about the mandatory class you took in journalism school in how to give aid and comfort to America's enemies at home and abroad, or the seminar in how to disrespect the memories of our fallen heroes. These classes are a fraternal secret, like Skull and Bones.
A parody?
Eric Shansby provided a "scale of justice" illustration (larger image) showing a journalist pressing his finger down in favor of a Democratic donkey over a Republican elephant.
