MEDIA (CONT)

As a former radio newscaster who at times suffered from bobbling words, I am prepared to believe Lenihan's apology--but in an era of political and patriotic correctness, there is little tolerance for slips that may be viewed as slurs (unless Bill O'Reilly makes them!)

When CNN's Eason Jordan spoke at an off-the-record session at the World Economic Forum and suggested that journalists were targeted by the U.S. Military in Iraq, the confidentiality of the session was violated by a blogger who created a storm of criticisms against him that led to charges that CNN was "sliming" the troops. Jordan was forced out of his job after 25 years.

More recently, The Drudge Report got hold of an ABC producer's private email. A personal opinion was soon being turned into an indictment of a whole network:

A top producer at ABC NEWS declared "Bush makes me sick" in an email obtained by the DRUDGE REPORT… John Green, currently executive producer of the weekend edition of GOOD MORNING AMERICA, unloaded on the president in an ABC company email obtained by the DRUDGE REPORT. "If he uses the 'mixed messages' line one more time, I'm going to puke," Green complained."

Drudge added: "The blunt comments by Green, along with other emails obtained by the DRUDGE REPORT, further reveal the inner workings of the nation's news outlets."

Does it really? Will ABC News now feature guests who will confess that Bush makes them sick? I doubt it. Most inside the media criticisms of the President will continue to be confined to personal communications and occasional on-campus presentations. Otherwise, wise news lips are likely to stay sealed.

A new book, by "Lap Dogs," out soon, will detail how most of the nation's news outlets cozied up to the Bush Administration with barely a negative word on its policies. The press, like the CIA practices "group think."

Bravery is not a strong point or professional quality that leads to the upward mobility fast track.

You can be sure that this latest Drudge exploitation of a private email will further chill free speech within the "free press." Edward R. Murrow noted years ago, "the fear is in the room;" it is still there.

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