Are Journalism and Politics Inextricably Joined?

An anonymous reader writes "Retiring figure Bill Moyers makes his case in a recent speech delivered at the Society of Professional Journalists 2004 national convention. 'But I approach the end of my own long run believing more strongly than ever that the quality of journalism and the quality of democracy are inextricably joined.' It is a deep argument, made poignant by the recently murdered Francisco Ortiz Franco of Mexico, Manik Saha of India, and Aiyathurai Nadesan of Sri Lanka, among others. It is a broad argument, touching on history from America's first best seller to yesterday's blog. Is it a convincing argument?"

Comments

Re:quality?

[Brandybuck]

Counterexample: slashdot is very democratic.

False. I haven't been given the opportunity to moderate since my account was created. It is not democracy when not every has the opportunity to participate. Is it because I pissed off CmdrTaco? Because I haven't bought a subscription? I don't know, but I do know that this isn't a democracy.