Matt Taibbi on Major Corporate ‘Journalism’

Matt Taibbi, regarding Lara Logan’s criticism of Michael Hastings’s explosive profile of Gen. Stanley McChrystal:

If I’m hearing Logan correctly, what Hastings is supposed to have done in that situation is interrupt these drunken assholes and say, “Excuse me, fellas, I know we’re all having fun and all, but you’re saying things that may not be in your best interest! As a reporter, it is my duty to inform you that you may end up looking like insubordinate douche bags in front of two million Rolling Stone readers if you don’t shut your mouths this very instant!” I mean, where did Logan go to journalism school — the Burson-Marsteller agency?

I don’t think it’s hyperbolic in the least to say that the argument comes down to whether a journalist’s job is (a) to report what is true, important, and interesting; or (b) to report what those in power want reported.

★ Thursday, 1 July 2010