Dan Rather: Still Crazy After All These Years
Last Tuesday, disgraced ex-CBS anchor Dan Rather discussed the future of the media at the Aspen Institute, in a speech titled “The Importance of Fiercely Independent Journalism and the Future of the Media.” Rather’s recommended approach to preserve fierce press independence? As reported in the Aspen Daily News:
The free press, as established by the First Amendment to the Constitution, ought to operate as a public trust, not solely as a money-making endeavor, Rather argued, and it’s time the government make an effort to ensure the survival of the free press.
Because government-funded media has a great track record of fostering fair debate! Given the recent New York Times turn-around about its new 17 percent owner, imagine how journalists might shy from reporting about a government also providing their paychecks.
Besides, Dan Rather himself is partly responsible for killing the credibility of America’s mainstream media. As Little Green Football’s Charles Johnson notes: