-By Warner Todd Huston
Journalists used to pride themselves on their independence. They once thought that hard questions were their stock and trade especially when it came to hurling those questions at politicians. But even as they congratulate each other for their efforts — as NPR did recently — it appears that hard questions and independence is much lower on their list these days where it concerns President Obama. As it happens journalists are only asking those questions that are pre-approved by the White House.
On September 11, NPR’s Morning Edition gave a very warm welcome to Michael Lewis whose interviews of Barack Obama are soon to debut in the October issue of Vanity Fair. On NPR Lewis’ interviews were called “compelling narratives” and his every utterance was given breathless audience.
Lewis was presented as a quintessential journalist, exploring the life of the president of the United States with inside, unparalleled access. But not once did NPR note to its audience that Lewis submitted his story to the White House for its pre-approval before it went to Vanity Fair.
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NPR Fawns Over Interview Programmed by White House”