Dan Rather was one of the most respected television reporters for nearly 25 years. And in a seemingly symbolic move; a passing of the torch perhaps, Rather’s career came to end in 2004, ironically because of bloggers.
Rather and his team put together a report about President Bush. In the report they showed documents that claimed that, among other things, Bush was a draft dodger and that he got special treatment in the National Guard because of his powerful family. However, immediately after the report aired, viewers began to question the credibility of the documents. And these people began to speak out about the falsities they believed 60 Minutes had portrayed in the best way they knew how: Blogs.
Ten years ago, people would not have had a platform to voice their opinions or objections about the media. The blogosphere has opened the door for that independent voice that is so crucial to a modern, free society. Blogs like rathergate.org have turned up in the fight to keep the media honest.
Now, I’m not saying that I agree that Dan Rather should have been forced to resign. I think he and his news team made a big mistake by not finding a second source or taking the documents to experts for some kind of verification. And as much as I would love to prove George W was a draft dodger, as a journalist, I could/would never accept reports by fax, from some guy and report them as fact if I could not prove it. Journalism is not journalism without credibility.
As a young journalist I am happy to know someone is there, with an eye on the media to keep us honest. I don’t want to be a part of an industry that accepts speculation or accusation for fact.
And as a new blogger, entering this world of odd lingo and over-zealous rant, known as the blogosphere, I am glad to have a forum to state my own objections about the media and about the world in general.
