James Reston Quote

"The rising power of the United States in world affairs ...
requires, not a more compliant press,
but a relentless barrage of facts and criticism ...
Our job in this age, as I see it,
is not to serve as cheerleaders for our side ...
but to help the largest possible number of people
to see the realities."

by:	James Reston (1909-1995) Scottish-born ("Scotty") New York Times journalist, editor, bureau chief, two Pultizer Prizes, Presidential Medal of Freedom
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Categories:	Conscience, Executive Orders, Government, Honesty, Media, Truth, UN
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To promote "reality"? But whose reality? Too bad that we do not have an unbiased media -- cheerleaders all. How do you establish reality in media coverage? It's much easier to tell people what to think than to teach them to learn how to think.  -- Logan, Memphis, TN
In a government "of, by, and for the people" the greater the transparency the better. With larger government functions and activity such as war the more reporting there is to be required. A no brainer.  -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas
A little "cheer leading" for our side would be a welcome change. Our left slanted media loves to report all the negatives with nary a mention of the positives. The one exception is talk radio.  -- jim k, austin
-- Anonymous, Reston, VA US
I agree with Logan, whose "reality"? The left is the only redeeming feature America has at the moment as any cheering is definitely not for the Right. It seems only the Right decides to take matters into their own hands as was displayed by the recent church killings - just one example of many. I suppose you will be calling Faux News and CNN left soon - the news media is owned by the corporate right and its in their interest to keep wars going and to manipulated the market - us poor suckers don't stand a chance - as Carlin said 'we are not members of the club'. We need some Dragon Riders.  -- RobertSRQ      1
Five stars for the phenomenal concept. Thumbs down for the left v right, liberal v conservative, Democrat v Republican - neither side understands, wants, or will report the realities of a personally responsible sovereign seeking individual (for each and every, any and all) freedom and liberty.  -- Mike, Norwalk
Most people have absolutely no idea what a real critic does. A critic is "one who expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter especially involving a judgment of its value, truth, righteousness, beauty, or technique." A critic does not tear something down that does not need tearing down. In fact he supports the good. What the modern media have become are nihilists who want to destroy the good with the bad simply to boost the own sense of self-worth and demonstrate their power. They are narcissistic nihilists.  -- Ken, Allyn, WA
No one newspaper or television network can be trusted to give objective reporting -- all are subjective, so we need lots of views. The NYT is left. the Wall Street Journal is right, The Washington Post is left, Washington Times is right, CBS left, FOX right. We need them all -- at least to show that each has a particular vested interest. Advertisers decide who to advertise with -- and no newspaper can afford to tell unpleasant truths if it upsets their advertising revenue. Reston was allied with Kissinger and was often deceived by him in order to get the Times to report what the government wanted. If you want the truth, you will have to learn how to read between the lines. (Sorry Robert but the media is owned and controlled more by the left than the right -- mainly because broadcasting is for those who want their 'infotainment' free and are in fact mere indentured servants who covet what their bosses have. The left needs those with house-slave mentalities.)  -- E Archer, NYC
NPR now has a Republican at the helm - say no more.  -- RobertSRQ
What about CNN, NBC, ABC, PBS, Newsweek, Time, USA Today? NPR can hardly compete with them, and few can deny the leftist leanings of the mainstream media. All are bound to their bankers and profits -- forget about left vs. right and consider collectivism vs. individualism -- it is only natural that the masses more easily intimidate the lone voice of an individual. Robert, you certainly must understand what it means to be demonized by groups for your individual stand whether those groups be from the 'right' or the 'left' -- and yet you hold firm to what you believe in. (Good for you!) The point I am trying to make is that the humble reasoning of the individual is the foundational basis of Liberty in this nation, and that groups of individuals have no more rights than the individuals within them or the individuals they 'condemn.' Personally I am just fed up with FEAR being the driving impetus for everything the collective latches on to. Groups aren't known for their courage -- individuals are. The enlightenement of an individual is hard enough and nearly impossible for a group.  -- E Archer, NYC
Many of those news outlets have conservative owners but they did not make their organizations produce a conservative product did they? If the critic were to actually point something out that needs attention it would be different but what we get is leftist propaganda. That is not criticism.  -- warren, olathe
The population of United States of America suffers from a severe mental impairment that rejects the realities being presented to them. They refuse the admission of their condition and so the condition worsens. The mental health provider continues to as much as possible to disseminate the relevant information to releave the condition as much as possible.  -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown

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