Johnny Boy Marketing
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Democracy and Newspapers
“So you think there will be another Watergate situation that goes undiscovered?” I was asked.
“Maybe, but it’s far more likely that the unchecked local, state or Congressional politician will get away with a whole host of bad stuff because that’s where newspaper journalism is rotting the quickest and the most,” I replied.
And so it has come to pass.
Perkins and Woodward would have rightly flunked me in any of their classes if I said a good reason for not getting an important story was because an involved party didn’t spoon-feed me the information. Lisa Warren would have fired me — and then made sure no newspaper within in 10,000 miles hired me. And she’d been right to do so.
These days, Ashford gets to go on the most popular podcast in the land and have stories written about how influential her coverage was at uncovering such a huge story. The problem is, that influential story doesn’t mean anything because there’s nothing that says being a liar of astronomical proportions disqualifies you from serving as a Congressman.
The result is that an important seat is occupied by a man who just might be a criminal beyond being a liar — and he is essentially protected. The Republican majority is so thin and the seat in question rests in such a split district that there’s no way the leadership will push him out. They’ll keep him off committees, sure. They won’t sit at his lunch table. But unless there’s a huge swing to the Right that gives the GOP a safer majority, Santos isn’t going anywhere.
And that’s the fault of political reporters such as Ashford and once great newspapers such as The New York Times.
Ashford ended her podcast appearance by saying that Santos himself was to blame for her failing at her job. How could anyone believe, she said, that someone’s whole life would be a lie?
Because he’s a politician, Grace, and because it’s your job.
John Agliata is a marketing professional with more than 30 years of communications experience. Reach him at johnagliata@gmail.com or (352) 226-5852.
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