Patrick -
I think our media is a little softer than the Brits -- but I think the funadmental difference is that the second-tier politicians in the US (that is, anyone beyond the House and Senate leadership) are free to forum shop.
British TV news is pretty much limited to BBC and ITN. Here, you've got literally dozens of venues to choose from and, people (not least politicians) being both lazy and vain, tend to seek out the forums (fora?) that make them look good.
Of course, British papers have this trait -- a politician who doesn't want to get a tough question can stick with the newspapers which proudly carry the Tory or Labour banner.
Here, naturally enough, the Republicans prefer the infobabes at FOX to let them slide past tough questions. When the Democrats want to defend a policy, they don't flock over to FOX, they'll stick to the friendly confines of Katie Couric, who doesn't tend to ask hard questions and who embraces their general vision.
Tougher journalists would be better, but as the media venue choices grow and grow, I think the forum shopping problem will outstrip any shift in the attitudes of journalists.
But I don't think there's much wrong with this, because the more fundamental solution -- restricting flows of information so politicans have fewer choices in journalist -- is so much worse.
| Year | Number of comments posted |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
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