<![CDATA[Scott Rosenberg’s Links & Comment:
Eason Jordan’s trial-by-blog is simply the latest example of the convulsive and painful but inevitable and long-brewing transformation of professional journalism from a protected sphere into a more open environment. That’s important, but it’s hadly news any more. The Gannon story, on the other hand, offers us a peek into the next chapter of the story — the one in which an opportunistic political establishment, sensing the vulnerability of the media, grabs the moment to reshape the public’s very grasp of reality….
Accountability is a grand principle. The Eason Jordan story shows us how journalists are still having a hard time getting used to the fact that they are being asked to follow it, too. The Jeff Gannon story shows us how easy it is, once the journalistic establishment has begun its self-destructive implosion, for public officials to engineer a reality that suits their own agenda. To me, that’s the bigger story.
Scott says better what I am arguing over here…. The attack on Jordan, regardless of how dumb or irresponsible his comments were, is part of a concerted remaking of civic dialogue that excludes any criticism of the military, the Bush Administration or their policies.]]>