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I love watching the White House press conferences; they're very enjoyable. I love watching talented journalists who spent their entire lives to get the point where they're in the White House press corps, only to find out they're dictation machines where the White House will tell them what to say. But I'm watching it today and the strangest thing happened: today was the first press conference since they released the President's Vietnam service record and suddenly, it's like there's a whole new attitude. I have just one question for the press corps: Where the fuck have you been? You're starting to ask questions now? Now? All of a sudden, they've got questions and it's about his Vietnam service. Guys, you're like eight wars behind. Hey! I heard there was a break-in at the Watergate! You might want to check in on that!

Jon Stewart#68

PoliticsAccountabilityCriticismJournalismPress

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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker criticizes journalists for failing to ask tough questions until a specific scandal forces them to, highlighting their lack of proactive scrutiny.
In plain terms
Journalists should ask hard questions all the time, not just when caught.
What can you take from it?
Scrutiny should be consistent, not reactive.

Where it applies

  • press conferences
  • political reporting
  • media criticism

Putting it to work

  • demanding transparency
  • evaluating media performance

Questions to consider

  • What prevents journalists from asking earlier?
  • How can media accountability improve?

Another view

It assumes all journalists have the same capacity to ask questions.

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