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to the problems facing journalists who want to
get edgier stories on the air.
“A statement prepared by WETA-TV and Safe
World Productions praised me for the work I had
done to date, then said: As the production progressed,
particularly in light of changing world
events, we felt we needed to install a new team
to bring the project to completion. Frank Sesno
and Chris Guarino are respected news producers
and journalists.
“Less than an hour after I was fired, Marlene
Adler, Walter Cronkite’s personal assistant,
called me. Mr. Cronkite wanted to speak to me. I
explained that I’d been fired. Adler was shocked.
Mr. Cronkite wanted to tell you himself how
much he liked the scripts. He didn’t even feel the
need to have his own editorial review. It has been
my experience that the person delivering the
words on camera is usually the most critical
because it is their [sic] reputation and face that
is out there,” Koch said.
Amy Goodman charms the WashPost
MEANWHILE, in the center of U.S. power, the
Washington Post, accused of boosting the war
while ignoring critics, has discovered Amy Goodman
and the Democracy Now! show on Pacifica
and other stations. Michael Powell writes:
“Its politics can veer toward communion for the
progressive choir. But in this age of corporate
media conglomeration, when National Public
Radio sounds as safe as a glass of warm milk, Democracy
Now! retains a jagged and intriguing edge.
“Goodman is the show’s center, a slight 45year-old
in a pullover vest, jeans and sneakers.
Her unruly brown hair is streaked with gray. She
can break out a playful smile, and punctuate an
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interview by opening a hatch in her office floor
and sliding down a fire pole to the floor below.
“More often, though, her intensity burns
through. Her eye sockets look a bit hollowed out.
It’s hard to leave phone messages for her
because her voice mail keeps filling up.
“She doesn’t say ‘no’ very well,” says Michael
Ratner, a friend and an attorney and president of
the Center for Constitutional Rights.
“Sleep? Her friend, Elizabeth Benjamin, head
of the Legal Aid Society’s Health Law Unit,
chuckles. “I wish she got more of it. Amy has so
much passion to right the wrongs of the world.”
Perle calls Hersh a terrorist
WHAT happens to reporters who don’t buy the
administration position line hook and sinker?
They get called terrorists. This shocking email
from Kathy Sampson of Cambridge, Mass.,
deserves to be printed in full.
“I am writing to you to inform you of an event
that is deeply disturbing and frightening. Yesterday
on Late Edition on CNN, Wolf Blitzer asked
Richard Perle what he thought of an article written
by Seymour Hersh in the 17 March issue of
The New Yorker magazine. According to Mr.
Blitzer, Mr. Hersh explores the question of
whether Mr. Perle may have a conflict of interest
due to his role with the administration and his
investments in Homeland Security-related companies.
Mr. Perle then stated that Mr. Hersh is
the closest thing American journalism has to a
terrorist.
“Mr. Blitzer seemed quite surprised at this
response and asked, “Why do you say that? A
terrorist?
“Mr. Perle: Because he’s widely irresponsible.”