Blagojevich on the Media: 'Screw the Truth'
In his new book, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich lets everyone know what he thinks of the media
We just got a copy of former Illinois scandal Gov. Rod Blagojevich's book, The Governor: The Truth Behind the Political Scandal That Continues to Rock the Nation
Of course, he puts a hurtin' on the media, and that's what we'll focus on in today's hopper. Spread out over Pages 18 and 19 in the book embargoed for release until today, he says the press just wanted a good story, not the truth. Here is his reaction, in his words, as he faced the court and media on charges he attempted to sell Obama's seat:
"I appeared before Federal Magistrate Nan Nolan at approximately 1:30 p.m. I had never seen her before. But I thought to myself, oh my God, what does this respected judge think of all of this? As she was conducting the court proceedings and speaking to the lawyers, I noticed on one or two occasions she glanced at me. As she was doing this, I felt her silently saying to me, 'How could you get yourself in this position?' I had this powerful urge to jump up on the table and tell her I didn't do anything wrong—that this must be some kind of mistake.
"As expected, the courtroom was packed with the media. These are the kinds of things they just love. Good news; forget about it. Real and meaningful results that you accomplished for people, that touched the lives of people, that helped them—okay, sure—we'll write about it. Let's see. There's room on page 27.
"This was going to be a great day for them. This is what they live for. The misfortune of others is a mother lode of fortune for them. And in a mad dash to write about the bad news, they're so busy tripping over each other and trying not to get scooped by the competition that the search for the truth is a casualty. It's collateral damage. Newspapers need to be sold. Deadlines have to be met. There's no time to lose, not even time to catch your breath. Not even time to ask the right questions. Aren't they supposed to challenge the information; to be objective; to probe? Isn't that what a vigorous and free press is supposed to do? The fourth estate is supposed to check the unfettered power of the government. It's supposed to act to check the abuse of power, wherever it exists. And when they fail to do so, our democracy is undermined, and our freedoms are threatened. . . .
"This was too good of a story to let the truth get in its way. Nor was there even time to search for the truth. It's a rat race out there. It's a rush. It's a rush to beat the competition. It's a rush to sell newspapers. It's a rush to judgment! Screw the truth. Edward R. Murrow would roll over in his grave."
Reader Comments
He's going to be on Trump's show now?
Is this true? Rumor is that Trump may have him on one the reality shows.
OK, so there's a point to be made about media sensationalism...
But how does that ever excuse allegedly attempting to shake down a children's hospital???
Here's what the media need to do next, though. The comedy shows need to take this clown and continue to turn him into entertainment (at his expense, of course).
I can see a MAD TV sketch in the works, now. Picture someone posing as Rod trying to shake down a dry cleaner, only he ends up dealing with Ms. Swan. The authorities try to question her, to be sure it was really him, and he really tried to shake her down, and her perpetual answer is simply, "You know--he look like a man."
Gotta love Ms. Swan.
Next, they get Nicole Sullivan, only when the Rod character tries to shake her down at some job she works in, she immediately plugs her ears with her fingers and goes, "I can't hear you. La la la la la. La la la."
Now that would be fun media attention.
Sorry to say, Blago is right on this one
I have no love for Blago, but he is right about the media. I have been a communications professional for more than a decade, and I have watched a disturbing change in the media. With newspapers in constant threat of extinction and more and more consumers getting their info on the fly from bloggers, twitterers, and each other, journalism as we know it doesn't stand a chance. Americans love a train wreck, so that's what the media gives us--over and over again. And the race to be the first to put the "news" out there has indeed created the kind of "drive by journalism" that, when push comes to shove, doesn't have time to seek out the truth.
And I have to agree with Anze--it's ironic and a sad statement that the headline of this piece insinuates exactly the opposite of what Blago's quote actually says. I guess you proved his point.
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