Self anointed sainthood, case in point 'journalists'

(Washington Post ombudsman Howell, 11/30/08): "In the newsroom, we think of ourselves as keepers of

• the sacred flame of journalism."...

On 11/2, Ombudsman Howell noted some complain writers of the Washington Post are arrogant to which she replied:

• "Arrogance. It is a disease easily caught by journalists, who can overlook its symptoms.

• We believe that we have a collective "nose for news" and the judgment to know best what readers need to know and how to present it.

• We believe in our own wisdom and experience and in the purity that keeps us out of politics and special-interest groups.

• We have our own rules, and we don't change them....

• We believe that if it weren't for us, the world couldn't be as well informed and democracy wouldn't operate as it should.

But this sounds self-important to readers."

• So far, no grounds for anything 'sacred' nor any relation to 'purity.' (sm)

An example of sacred and pure 'journalism' was CNN's deliberate shielding of Saddam Hussein atrocities in order to protect its own "access." ("The News We Kept to Ourselves," 4/11/03 by CNN executive Eason Jordan published in the NY Times).

• What media person will endanger their access to MLB by addressing subjects to which Bud Selig would object? Answer:
• None.
• What is described as 'journalism' is simply a poor career choice requiring unacceptable compromises. (sm)

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