Media Matters: The NY Times sends a Dittohead to interview Rush Limbaugh

[DeepModem Mom]

Media Matters for America: The NY Times sends a Dittohead to interview Rush Limbaugh
by Eric Boehlert

In his Sunday profile of right-wing talker Rush Limbaugh, New York Times Magazine contributor Zev Chafets set the scene by describing his visit to Limbaugh's studio in Palm Beach, Florida....

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Limbaugh had nothing to fear from the toothless tiger that came to Palm Beach to profile one of the most controversial media figures in politics today. The Times' resulting valentine was couched in such a creepy, tell-me-more-Uncle-Rush vibe (he was crowned "a singular political force") that readers could almost picture the reporter at Limbaugh's knee, eager to record the next morsel of wisdom....

For Limbaugh, the ego-stroking profile was quite an achievement: The mighty, and allegedly liberal, New York Times conducted what appeared to be a lengthy, in-depth, and objective profile of Limbaugh and came away very impressed by the titan talker. The Times, quite emphatically, provided its editorial seal of approval to Limbaugh, complete with the flattering, Tony Soprano-like cover photo....

I assume Chafets' right-leaning politics explain why Limbaugh referred to the writer as "a friend" in the article and why Limbaugh allowed Chafets unprecedented access not only to Limbaugh's studio, but to Limbaugh's house ("the first journalist ever to enter his home") and to his friends and his shrink. Limbaugh granted the access because he pretty much knew exactly what the outcome of the profile would be (or at least what the glowing tone of the piece would be), and he knew that Chafets wouldn't come within a country mile of making even a passing reference to the hate speech and unhinged attacks that Limbaugh routinely engages in on the airwaves....

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...(I)n exchange for playing dumb, the Times was granted unusual access to the talk-show host. That kind of obvious quid pro quo is the type of thing that's practiced on a daily basis at celebrity magazines, where editors angle for access in exchange for puff pieces. It's not journalism, and it ought to be beneath the Times....

http://mediamatters.org/columns/200807080001

[MotorCityMan]

1. Eric Boehlert's book "Lapdogs" is a must read

He points out, in detail, exactly what is wrong with the media.

He does the same in his Media Matters columns.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Thanks, MotorCItyMan! Somehow I missed mention of that book. nt

[MotorCityMan]

3. No problem, DeepModem Mom

Hell, I'd mail you my copy, but don't even have it. I have passed it around to everyone I know who is interested.

[DeepModem Mom]

4. That's okay -- I'm an accomplished Amazoner!

:)

[Doctor_J]

5. Do you think that flaming coward would take a real interview?

He's afraid of his own shadow. He's even more of a coward than he is a liar and traitor.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Good point. nt