As I occasionally survey the pack of sycophantic shih tzus in the Washington press corps, wriggling on their bellies to kiss the feet of those in power, I feel plumb discouraged about the future of journalism.
Interpretation
The quote criticizes the lack of integrity in journalism, suggesting that some journalists overly submit to those in power.
Molly Ivins expresses her disillusionment with the state of journalism, pointing out how some members of the media seem to sacrifice their integrity by flattering and submitting to powerful figures. This comment reflects a broader concern about accountability and objectivity in journalism, emphasizing that the future of the profession may be at stake if such behavior continues unchecked.
In practice
During a panel on media ethics, this quote could highlight the importance of maintaining journalistic standards.
Racists seem obsessed by the idea that illegal workers - the hardest-working, poorest people in America - are somehow getting away with something, sneaking goodies that should be for Americans. You can always avoid this problem by having no social services. This is the refreshing Texas model, and it works a treat.
Populism is the simple premise that markets need to be restrained by society and by a democratic political system. We are not socialists or communists, we are proponents of regulated capitalism and, I might add, people who have read American history.
We should all laugh more at our elected officials - it's good for us and good for them.
Although it is true that only about 20 percent of American workers are in unions, that 20 percent sets the standards across the board in salaries, benefits and working conditions. If you are making a decent salary in a non-union company, you owe that to the unions. One thing that corporations do not do is give out money out of the goodness of their hearts.
Imagine wasting all that perfectly good anger on paranoid fantasies. Not since Emily Litella got upset about "Soviet jewelry" has there been such a waste of anger. You will notice a certain theme to these Emily Litella Moments. Behind them all is a touching faith that someone, somewhere is actually in charge of what's happening - a proposition I beg leave to doubt.
All anyone needs to enjoy the state legislature is a strong stomach and a complete insensitivity to the needs of the people. As long as you don't think about what that peculiar body should be doing and what it actually is doing to the quality of life in Texas, then it's all marvelous fun.
We cannot make good news out of bad practice.
If an investigative reporter finds out that someone has been robbing the store, that may be 'gotcha' journalism, but it's also good journalism.
The most important ethical issues and the most difficult ones are the human ones because a reporter has enormous power to hurt people.
Journalism without a moral position is impossible. Every journalist is a moralist. It's absolutely unavoidable.
I don't believe in these headline-hunting interviews. That's just not my style.
As a journalist, I know what it is like to incur the self-righteous wrath of people who denounce you for things you didn't say or didn't mean.
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