"The Nazification of Israel, " by Aijaz Ahmad

[Brad DeLong]

>Brad DeLong wrote:
>
>>Many reporters, too. Those who begin conversations with, "Don't you 
>>think that..."
>
>They're under the idiot constraints of American journalism, which 
>means that they're not allowed to have opinions, or even independent 
>analyses. They're supposed to be neutral, objective conduits for the 
>wisdom of "experts." To get around this, they seek out people who 
>will say the things they want to say. If you don't play along, they 
>get annoyed.
>
>Back during the '92 campaign, a friend who worked at U.S. News & 
>World Report told me that owner Mort Zuckerman made it clear that he 
>wanted Bush to lose, and that all stories must be spun with that 
>goal in mind. Economic reports were required to reflect bearish 
>views. One reporter was givena list of approved economists to call 
>for quotes by the department editor. Editors at Zuckerman pubs serve 
>largely as transmission belts for Zuckerman's instructions. This is 
>one reason they don't last very long in their jobs.
>
>Doug

As in they can say only two things? "Yes, definitely, Lord Zuckerman" 
and "Up to a point, Lord Zuckerman"?

Brad DeLong