Transcript
January 9, 2004
BOB GARFIELD: This is On the Media, from NPR. I'm Bob Garfield. And now for some of your letters. We got a number of complaints about Brooke's conversation last week with Michael Goldfarb, who wrapped up the year in British media for us. Kristin Lems wrote in with this...
"Wow. What a disappointment to hear Michael Goldfarb pedaling madly to the right side of the road as he scolded British journalists such as Robert Fisk for sensationalism, trying to sort out the, quote, 'bad' (or anti-occupation) journalists from the 'good' (or look the other way) ones." And Lems ended with this: "On the Media, look to thine own biases before judging those who really practice a free press."
Stephen Philion of Minneapolis, Minnesota wrote this about the same interview:
"I found your review of the British media to be quite close to what I would expect from Fox News, criticizing their outlets for not being pro-war." Philion added, "Your slanted attack on the British media might make it easier for American reporters to forget their failures to report on the numerous revelations of exaggeration or outright lies that characterized Bush and Blair's so-called weapons of mass destruction claims. That would be a terrible shame, for the British media was far ahead of the American media in this respect."
And finally, here's a very troubling notice from Dave Kessler of Stony Brook, New York:
"I'm really worried about Bob," he writes. "He just isn't funny any more. What happened? Was there a crackdown from the WNYC 'brass' on all things snide, sarcastic and silly? Is he just 'tired of it all?' Is he depressed????"
Well, no, Dave. I'm not depressed. Maybe a little moody and unmotivated. Eating a lot of pudding. But really it's just a question of time. We can't shamelessly slant the news to suit our corporate and governmental masters and be hilarious. But if you'll be patient with us for a few more minutes, we can at least deliver snide and silly. No guarantees on "funny."
Meantime, keep those letters coming in. We just love them. Don't forget to include your name and where you live. [MUSIC]
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