journalism is not dead yet

That last several years have been dismal for journalism, with a bizarre combination of inability and unwillingness to hold the administration's feet to the fire. To anybody who finds Rupert Murdock's growing empire of unwilling journalists to be particularly frightening, this thrilling video may be a welcome sign of hope.

This video shows the intrepid Bill Moyers in a fascinating encounter with Bill O'Reilly producer Porter Barry. Porter is acting as O'Reilly's attack dog, trying to ask why Bill Moyers will not appear on O'Reilly's show. Moyers turns the tables and holds Rupert Murdock's feet to the fire for his statement in 2003 that "the greatest thing to come out of [deposing Hussein] for the world economy...would be $20 a barrel for oil. That's bigger than any tax cut in any country."

Hindsight, of course, has a tendency to change one's perspectives, so Moyers would love to know how Murdock feels about that statement now that Hussein is long gone and crude prices are continuing to set new records. Porter, of course, wants to keep the conversation on a topic that would make a good sound-bite for Bill O'Reilly. Moyers, however, is no fool and would instead like Bill O'Reilly to finally accept a prior invitation to appear on Moyers's show, where there is still integrity in the editorial process. Moreover, he extends a similar invitation for Porter to appear as well.

"We're taping this, so for the first time since Fox News has ambushed me, we're going to be able to judge your editing against what these people are saying."



Thanks to my friend Bradley for the link.