Transcript
BOB GARFIELD: We have time for a few letters this week. The first comes from Tim Casey who wrote in to make a case for why the media deregulation that we've been reporting about on the program doesn't really matter. Tim writes: "While I'm grateful that you're keeping the spotlight on the giant corporations gobbling up more and more media outlets, I laugh every time I hear how important these outlets are. I have not used my television for watching broadcasts of any kind -- cable, satellite or network -- for ten years."
BROOKE GLADSTONE:He goes on to suggest: "If we all get together and ignore the crap that the corporations are trying to shove down our throats, we would have so much more time to spend on the things that are important -- the things that corporate media would rather have us ignore."
BOB GARFIELD:I modestly report that we received a flood of positive mail about my re-run piece last week on freedom of expression and the Patriot Act. But Dave Luce from St. Louis, Missouri wrote to say that it was, quote, "sloppy yellow journalism at its finest." He writes: "That your show is on the air and pronouncing such inanities is evidence of just how vibrant the First Amendment remains and reminds me that in the marketplace of ideas as in most marketplaces, there's more junk than gold."
BROOKE GLADSTONE:And here's a letter about my interview with Lionel Chetwynd, the writer and producer of Showtime's docudrama DC 9/11. Floyd Romoyer writes "Gladstone was concerned about the movie's accuracy and Chetwynd's connection with the Republican Party. While Gladstone's questions are valid, I have to point out that the Showtime movie is a one time thing on a premium cable network with a limited audience. I don't know if Gladstone has an equal concern with the TV show West Wing -- it's a network show that's watched weekly by a much bigger viewership. The Showtime movie is pro-Republican while the West Wing is pro-Democrat. Just to be fair, Gladstone should interview the producers of West Wing in the same critical and judgmental tone of voice that she used with Chetwynd. What's happened to journalistic objectivity in On the Media?" Well Floyd, I've only watched the West Wing once but-- I thought it was fiction! Anyway, who ever said we were objective? Bob? Are we objective?
BOB GARFIELD:[LAUGHS] No, Brooke. We're not. Anyway, I just want to hear your critical and judgmental tone of voice again, and maybe this will inspire it. Jon Gautier from Brooklyn wrote with an important question, one we get a lot. "Why does Garfield, when he is doing the credits at the end of the show always say: 'edited by-- Brooke' in this slow, exaggerated way? Is this some private chops-busting between Bob and Brooke? If so, why does Brooke not retaliate, or is she just the more grown up of the two?"
BROOKE GLADSTONE: No comment, Jon.
BOB GARFIELD: (She's the more grown up of the two.)
BROOKE GLADSTONE: Keep those letters coming at onthemedia@wnyc.org, and don't forget to tell us where you live and how to pronounce your name. [MUSIC]