Bye, Andres…

Andres Martinez explains to the New York Times why it’s a good thing he’s no longer editing the opinion pages for the LA Times…

“There’s a general post-Jayson Blair, post-Staples Center obsession with covering yourself to a fault. I would argue this is taking it too far. The wheels of this bus have come off. There’s not strong leadership in the newsroom, and there’s a perception that Hiller is trying to suck up to Hollywood and advertisers.”

No shit, Andres. Where do you think that ‘perception’ comes from? When the leadership of the paper is dating the publicists for major advertisers and entertainment induustry figures and handing over the flagship section to one of them?

And I love the notion that anyone in business or politics is expected to dump their hard drives and deliver the results of their blood work for the benefit of the press – but heaven forbit the press itself is scrutinized.

I’ve felt for a long time that the single best thing we could do to American politics is to make Members of Congress and state legislatures subject to all the regulations they create. I similarly think that making it clear that journalists are themselves subject to the same scrutiny they give others would be a great thing.

3 thoughts on “Bye, Andres…”

  1. Great post. Best I have seen in a while. If politcos and newsies had to live under the scrutiny and rules we endure, there might be some attitude changes by said entities. I look at Winds regularly, but have only commented a time or to. I do enjoy this site for the well presented topics and opinions.

  2. Amen. Until reporters stop behaving like a medieval guild, however, most of that job will fall to the blogosphere.

    “I similarly think that making it clear that journalists are themselves subject to the same scrutiny they give others would be a great thing.”

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