Opposite Sides

Opposite Sides

I worked in the newspaper business for over 40 years and I can tell you that the animosity between politicians and reporters is nothing new. The reason is simple. First-rate reporters have a job to do and are not easily charmed or swayed by the slick style of a person determined to amass power through the democratic, or in the case of the United States presidency, not-so democratic process. 

I’ll never forget my first press conference with Gov. James Rhodes of Ohio in 1975. He’s the governor who ordered the Ohio National Guard to defend Kent State University from its own peaceful demonstrators in 1970 resulting in the killing of four students. I was suckered in by the governor’s answers to questions and believed every word. I was new to the newspaper business and sat with one of our experienced reporters, Tom Price. 

On the way back to the office, I told him I thought the governor made a strong case and had good answers. Tom told me it was all bullshit and the next day when I read Tom’s story, I saw it. The governor had lied in most cases and stretched the truth in others. Tom backed his news story with facts, figures and some journalistic digging. And that’s why politicians don’t like reporters. Reporters are not there to be manipulated the way the average person is. Reporters are after the truth and they have the facts to back it up. Steve Bannon says the press is the opposition party. All I can say to the press is thank you. Keep up the good work.


William (Bill) Hart

Remembering Bill Hart 8/6/45-8/7/22

8 年

funny yet very sad.

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Karsten Schley

Cartoonist at Cartoonstock (UK), Toonpool (D), MGW Agency (Italy) and the World's oldest satirical magazine Nebelspalter (CH). In my secret identity, I'm a truck driver for Deutsche Post DHL in Hamburg, Germany

8 年

At least here in Europe, a lot of people don't believe in news because they prefer to make up their own "feelings" and emotions as the truth. They don't care about facts. Journalists are experiencing a hard time.

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Vincent Farricielli

Veteran of the Adult Beverage industry - Five decades of experience - State Sales Manager - Broken Shed Vodka | Market Portfolio Management - Sales Excellence - Strategic Thinker

8 年

there was a time when news people reported the news instead of making it up as they go according to their own personal ideology. That's not the case today. Their goal now is to convince everyone they have the correct views. They were proven wrong this election proving they are clueless as to the priorities of the average American. 75 % of them anyway.

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Lakeesha Brown

Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at UConn and UConn Health.

8 年

You're being far too kind with assigning the word "vindictive" over Bannon.

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