Poisoned press

Which is worse: a media establishment whose members weave their personal biases into their journalism, or one in which members accept payment from various sources to push favored positions? And can the Republic survive either?

At least 10 Florida journalists received regular payments from a U.S. government program aimed at undermining the Cuban government of Fidel Castro, the Miami Herald reported on Friday.

Total payments since 2001 ranged from $1,550 to $174,753 per journalist, according to the newspaper, which said it found no instance in which those involved had disclosed that they were being paid by the U.S. Office of Cuba Broadcasting...

Journalism ethics experts called the payments a fundamental conflict of interest that undermines the credibility of reporters meant to objectively cover issues affecting U.S. policy toward Cuba.

They compared it to the case of Armstrong Williams in 2005, when it was revealed that the Bush administration had paid the prominent conservative pundit to promote its education policy, No Child Left Behind, on his nationally syndicated television show.

Combined with the U.S. government's ham-handed attempts to buy positive press in the Middle East, only one conclusion is possible: Uncle Sam realizes his credibility is nil -- that if he is identified as the source of information, it will most likely be disregarded. But rather than examine WHY that credibility gap exists and take corrective action, the government instead resorts to unethical methods of pushing its agenda. Worse, the privileged Fourth Estate, those self-proclaimed defenders and watchdogs of the Republic, are showing themselves only too willing to spout the party line, for the right price.

The current collusion of government, corporate and media interests ensures none are held to account by the public each allegedly serves. Such collusion is not democracy...it is the road to fascism.