Dan Rather Proposes Federal News Commission

Former mainstream media (MSM) stalwart Dan Rather was quite emotional in a speech Tuesday before the Aspen Institute as he called on President Obama to save the press.

“I personally encourage the president to establish a White House commission on public media,” the legendary newsman said.

Such a commission on media reform, Rather said, ought to make recommendations on saving journalism jobs and creating new business models to keep news organizations alive.

At stake, he argued, is the very survival of American democracy.

“A truly free and independent press is the red beating heart of democracy and freedom,” Rather said in an interview yesterday afternoon. “This is not something just for journalists to be concerned about, and the loss of jobs and the loss of newspapers, and the diminution of the American press’ traditional role of being the watchdog on power."

No disrespect intended, Mr. Rather, but you should retire. Apparently, Father Time has made you delusional. The traditional role of the press as the watchdog on power is extinct. In fact, I suggest that the MSM have a greater chance of finding the Lost City of Atlantis than ever watchdogging the Obama administration.

Whether the MSM succeeds or succumbs won't likely impact their putative watchdog functions since they're arguably not doing them now.

On the other hand, if the MSM had been providing watchdog functions, would not President Obama be the last person inclined to provide help for continued success? Also, if the MSM were watchdogs, the public would likely know much more about ACORN and a lot less about Joe the Plumber.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.