“We’ve been too accepting of rules and mores of, first, the Bush administration and, now, the Obama administration. We have to stand up and begin to fight back. . . . [W]e need to think about how to challenge the government in the way we’re supposed to challenge the government.
“[The Obama administration] want[s] to create an interstate highway for reporting in which there are police all along telling you to stay on that highway. As long as we accept this interstate highway of reporting, we are enabling and complicit in what’s happening to society and the press,” said Risen.
Lowell Bergman, director of the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, echoed the warnings, calling these “sad times” and telling the audience that reporters “have to take some more direct action, public action,” to “raise the profile of what the government is doing or attempting to do.”
Attendees sidled up to me to commiserate. Some said they’ve worked for bosses who shape or censor reporting in response to Obama administration threats to withhold “exclusive” interviews with administration officials. We marveled over the dynamic under which this administration and previous ones have convinced news organizations that serving as a government propaganda tool is actually a desirable thing. The White House and its agencies dole out officials for television news appearances in a rotation and lord over the schedule. We dutifully oblige, and promote the interviews as if they’re special exclusives. In fact, they serve as little more than positive PR for the government and its officials.
We’re next in line to get an interview with Michelle Obama, producers declare excitedly, after being told of the arrangement by the administration.
(That is, we’re next as long as we stay on that interstate highway of reporting. We’d better not run that pesky story looking into Michelle Obama’s travels!)
On April 10, 2013, the New York Times’ Jill Abramson joined the growing chorus of journalists criticizing the Obama administration’s press restrictions.
“The Obama years are a benchmark for a new level of secrecy and control,” said Abramson in an interview. “It’s created quite a challenging atmosphere for the New York Times, and for some of the best reporters in my newsroom who cover national security issues in Washington.”
But one of the most personally telling anecdotes comes to me from a colleague named David Kirby, a self-described left-winger who authored the investigative award-winning book Evidence of Harm: Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic: A Medical Controversy.
“I couldn’t wait,” says Kirby, speaking of Obama being elected president in 2008.
A “new era” was being ushered in. At last the GOP was out, and a new era of transparency was about to begin. He was the real deal, a Constitutional scholar who understood the fundamental importance of basic freedoms—the right to information and accountability, for example—to our democracy and its vaunted promise of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Then I tried to get information out of the new gang.
The first six months of 2009 was a daily lesson in rejection, frustration and anger. I could not get any information out of anyone—not the USDA, not the EPA, and certainly not the White House. FOIA requests, the few that were actually fulfilled, came back with up to 90% of the text “redacted,” blacked out like an angry child had taken an extra-wide Sharpie to the pages.
That summer I ran into an old friend from my early days in politics, a die-hard progressive, who would probably vote for the Communist Party if he could. Of course the subject of the new administration came up. “So how do you think he’s doing so far?” my friend asked.
“Well, I gotta say,” I replied, shuffling my feet, “At least when it comes to getting information out of the Obama people, I hate to say it, but it’s worse than Bush. Much worse.”
My comrade turned the color of farmed salmon, clashing with the red trumpet-vine blossoms behind the fence. He glared, he stammered, he yelled. I don’t think he has spoken to me since.
Today I am deeply unsettled, yet sadly unsurprised, by the fumbling explanations from Democratic Party apparatchiks clumsily trying to play down recent scandals rocking the White House and the nation: NSA domestic spying; monitoring the Associated Press and Fox News like North Korean “minders.”
Kirby is so moved by what’s happened, he’s writing his own book on the subject.
All of this makes me think back to that letter addressed to White House spokesman Carney, signed by many news organizations on November 21, 2013, referring to
an arbitrary restraint and unwarranted interference on legitimate newsgathering activities . . . constitutional concerns . . . [a] troubling precedent with a direct and adverse impact on the public’s ability to independently monitor and see what its government is doing . . .
From what I can see, our letter didn’t spark any big changes.
It’ll take more than a letter.
Since CBS, I’ve heard from conservatives urging me to continue reporting on untouchable subjects. I’ve also heard from a great number of people who claim to be either liberal or down the middle or politically disassociated altogether, and want me to know that they support journalism that follows a story no matter where it leads. There’s not enough of it, they say. They’re thirsty for it.
| JUNE 20, 2014
On this date, a new Gallup poll finds confidence in the news media is at an all-time low and confidence in TV news ranks even below the Internet. Liberals, conservatives, moderates: they all agree on this.
Can something good be born from something bad? With so much recognition that much is seriously broken, will the press fight to get back its mojo? Is it recoverable? Or too far gone?
Today, I feel as though I’ve taken a step forward. My heart is light. I breathe unrestricted, fresh air for the first time in several years. It smells different to me. It smells like freedom.
Do your own research. Consult those you trust. Make up your own mind.
Think for yourself.
INDEX
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A123 Systems, 140
ABC News, 247, 272, 383, 402
Abound Solar, 156–57
Accountability Review Board (ARB)
on Benghazi attack, 169, 173, 174, 189–93, 205, 333–35
on Nairobi and Dar es Salaam embassy attacks, 205–7
advertisers’ influence in news reporting, 49, 53–55, 56–60
Affordable Care Act, 236, 276. See also HealthCare.gov; Obamacare rollout
airplane stories, 390, 398
Alexander, Keith, 311
Allison, Don, 342–43
Alt, Larry, 102
American Academy of Pediatrics, 62
American Cancer Society and cosmetic industry, 61–62
American–US Airways merger, 58–59
Ansar al-Sharia and Benghazi attack, 195, 209, 210, 376–77, 402
ARB. See Accountability Review Board
Associated Press (AP), 134, 299–300, 304, 319
astroturf effect, 60–64
ATF. See Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Fast and Furious ATF gunwalking scandal
Attkisson, Sharyl
awards for investigative reporting, 78, 137, 147, 348, 351, 399
bug search at home, 296–97
burner phone use, 283, 296
leaving CBS News, 344, 346–47, 350–51, 365–66, 369–70, 397, 400
letter to Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 23–24
media appearances, 344–45, 348–49
on Obama administration, 321
and Pelley, 355–62
“pit bull” label, 193
propagandists’ a
ttacks, 343–44
role of, 2–3, 19–20
Attkisson’s computer hacking episodes
about, 1–2, 5–9
and CBS News, 286–88, 292–94, 303–4, 306–10, 323–25, 342
CBS News announcement of, 87
data wipe while using the laptop, 335–37
desktop analysis, 291, 342–43
desktop death, 294–95
filing a criminal complaint, 295, 297
home phone involvement, 2, 5–6, 7, 293–94, 316
and Justice Department, 303, 331–33, 338–40
laptop analysis, 282–86, 288–91, 308, 342–43
laptop cleaned by analyst, 287–88
moral support and information from others, 325–31
nighttime computer startups, 1–2, 7–9
radio interview disclosure of, 301–2
smart phone involvement, 284, 295–96, 330–31, 343
source of intrusion, 297, 298–99, 342
television involvement, 6
and Verizon, 10–13, 286, 293
autism and vaccines, 18, 39
Avila, Victor, 120–22
Baier, Bret, 210, 218–20
Baldanza, Ben, 59
batteries and charger for Dreamliner, 391–92, 398
batteries for electric vehicles, 140, 147–48
Beacon Global Strategies, 170, 217
Beacon Power, 144–45
Benghazi attack
60 Minutes story on, 369
about, 3–4, 19
Ansar al-Sharia and, 195, 209, 210, 376–77, 402
anti-Islamic video maker interview, 359–60
anti-Islamic video/spontaneous protest theory, 173, 197, 198, 204, 207, 209–13, 220, 377, 401–2
ARB report on, 169, 173, 174, 189–93, 205, 333–35
Attkisson’s reports on, 164, 169–70, 194–95
Attkisson warned about, 5
and CBS News journalists’ conference call, 175
and CIF, 159–61, 174
Congressional inquiries and hearings, 162–64, 181, 187–88, 198–99, 203–5, 207–8, 219–21
and CSG, 167
fact check list, 221–23
and FEST, 167–69
and Morell, 401
Obama administration pushback, 72–73, 164, 165, 167–69, 170–74, 385–87
Obama administration talking points, 195, 198–200, 201, 203–5, 215, 218–20, 383–87, 401
Obama on, 171–72, 196, 210–11, 223, 370–77, 378–82
Pentagon’s failure to act, 160–62, 174
and photographs of president’s work life, 165–67
questions about, 172–73, 215–16
security forces drawdown in Libya, 180–82, 184–85, 186–87, 188–89
Special Ops availability, 159–61, 174
See also Libya
Bergman, Lowell, 404
BGAN Portable Satellite Internet & Phone, 282
Boehner, John, 226
Boeing. See Dreamliner
Bonanno, Keith, 338–40
Bosnia, Clinton’s claim of sniper fire in, 21–22
Boston Marathon bomber, 314–15
Boxer, Barbara, 42
BP (British Petroleum), 19, 41–43
Brennan, John, 126–27, 128
Breuer, Lanny, 130, 134, 135–36, 138
British Petroleum (BP), 19, 41–43
broadcast producers, 50–53, 80–82, 111–12, 147
Broadwell, Paula, 200
Broun, Paul, 158
Brown, Michael, 142
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
and Dodson’s book, 340–41
and Obama administration, 122
obfuscation tactics, 97–98, 108
reassuring gun shops, 117
roundup of suspects, 118–20
See also Fast and Furious ATF gunwalking scandal
Burke, Dennis, 118
burner phones, 283, 296
Bush (George W.) administration
and Attkisson’s reporting, 351
and Hurricane Katrina, 142
and pharmaceutical industry, 69, 70
Troubled Asset Relief Program, 19, 39–41, 143
War on Terror, 176–77
Wide Receiver gunwalking operation, 133, 134–35
Bush, George W., National Guard service, 366–67
Bushnell, Prudence, 206
Buzzfeed, 81
car cyber attacks, 326–27, 329
Carney, Jay, 73, 211, 219, 260–61, 275, 334–35
Casa, Olindo “Lee,” 102
CBS News
Attkisson leaving, 344, 346–47, 350–51, 365–66, 369–70, 397, 400
and Benghazi attack talking points emails, 383–89, 402
ethics czar, 395–96
on green energy successes, 155
and green energy taxpayer waste reports, 144–45, 148–51, 153, 155–56
and infiltration of Attkisson’s computer, 286–88, 292–94, 303–4, 306–10, 323–25, 342
network culture, 365–66
and Obamacare rollout, 234
Obama’s popularity poll, 258
as Obama supporters in 2012 election, 374–82, 386–87
and Rathergate, 366–68
See also internal opposition at CBS News
CBSNews.com
about, 265
on Benghazi attack talking points, 384–85, 388–89
Fast and Furious stories, 112
on foreigners benefiting from stimulus money, 151
HealthCare.gov security issues story, 272
for “incremental” developments, 194
Obama administration update request, 256
Obama’s post-Benghazi attack comments, 380–81
CBS News reports and programs
60 Minutes, 67, 196, 223, 366–68, 375–82
on American–US Airways merger, 58–59
CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley, 346, 355–62, 402
“Could U.S. Military Have Helped During Libya Attack?”, 164
and Dreamliner story, 393–95
Fast and Furious stories, 96, 99, 105, 124, 137
HealthCare.gov stories, 231, 239–40, 259–61, 262
on Obamacare rollout, 279
Southwest Airlines spiel, 59–60
Spirit Airlines spiel, 59
and Taco Bell, 54–56
and TGI Fridays, 57
United Airlines spiel, 59
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 39, 44
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), 231, 241, 243–44, 260–61, 265–66, 270, 275
Chaffetz, Jason, 163
Chait, Mark, 116, 120
Chao, Henry
congressional testimony on HealthCare.gov, 244–46, 251, 255, 275
investigation of inconsistencies, 259–60
and waiver memo, 241, 243–44
Chevy Volt, 154
Chomsky, Noam, 47
Christian Science Monitor, 264
Chu, Steven, 44–45, 141, 158
CIA and Benghazi attack talking points, 204–5, 215
CIF (Combatant Commander’s in-Extremis Force) company, 159–61, 174
Cisneros, Henry, 39
citrus canker coverup in Florida, 16–18
civil liberties and privacy of Americans, 312–14, 315, 318
Clapper, James, 19, 199, 310–12, 318–19
Clarke, Richard, 326–27
Clinton administration, 115–16, 206–7
Clinton, Hillary, 21–22, 197, 207–10, 211–16, 350
CMS (Centers f
or Medicare and Medicaid Services), 231, 241, 243–44, 260–61, 265–66, 270, 275
Coast Guard and Deepwater Horizon oil spill, 41–43
Coburn, Tom, 331–33
Codrea, David, 95, 100
Colbrun, Ginger, 340–41
Collins, Chris, 246
Combatant Commander’s in-Extremis Force (CIF) company, 159–61, 174
Comedy Central TV program, 233
compliance of media with powers that be, 28–32, 37, 45–46, 97–99, 404–5
Compton, Ann, 321
computer hacking. See Attkisson’s computer hacking episodes
Congress
and Affordable Care Act, 236
Benghazi attack inquiries and hearings, 162–64, 181, 187–88, 198–99, 203–5, 207–8, 219–21
Benghazi Select Committee, 224
and Boeing Dreamliner, 397
campaign funding conflict of interest, 38–39
earmarks of tax dollars, 32–37
effect of interest in a story, 105–6
and Fast and Furious gunwalking scandal, 106, 122–23, 130–31
and government spying, 305–6
and HealthCare.gov security issues, 226–27, 244–47, 251, 255, 259, 265–66
and interview requests, 32, 36–37
and Justice Department targeting of news reporters, 331–33
and NSA data collection, 310–12
Oversight Committee, 106–7, 274
PR machines of congressmen, 45
Connolly, Gerald, 255
Conrad, Kent, 38–39
controversialize PR strategy
about, 65, 322–23
against Attkisson, 347–51
for Attkisson, 350–52
for Benghazi story, 382–90
Clinton’s use of, 213
for Fast and Furious, 108–9
media response, 321–23
for Obamacare rollout, 232, 253–54, 272–74, 345
for vaccines, 146–47
copycat comfort, 80–85, 357
corporate authorities
about, 37–38
advertisers’ influence in news reporting, 49, 53–55, 56–60
astroturf effect, 60–64
interference in news reporting, 47, 49, 52–54
methods, 18, 57–58
Stonewalled: My Fight for Truth Against the Forces of Obstruction, Intimidation, and Harassment in Obama's Washington Page 41