Watchdogs of Democracy?: The Waning Washington Press Corps and How It Has Failed the Public

by Helen Thomas

Book Overview

In the course of more than sixty years spent covering Washington politics, Helen Thomas has witnessed a raft of fundamental changes in the way news is gathered and reported. Gone are the days of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743267818
• ISBN13: 9780743267816
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: Scribner Book Company
• Length: 215 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.7" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

What's going on in Washington DC?

The lady in the red suit scores again with this cogent comment on the Washington press corps. Ms. Thomas, who pitches hardball questions during press conferences if she is allowed to do so, has very coherently and successfully produced a well-reasoned text about why the press corps failed the American people by not investigating the shenanigans surrounding the present administration. This is a necessary read for journalism students and probably for those interested history and political science.

Critique of the Presidents

The strongest portion this book is the author's critique of each of the Presidents she covered from kennedy onward in terms of the relationship with the Press. Ms. Thomas pulls no punches and that is the strength of this book. You get the real deal from her and an understanding of why she was barred from the Press room by Bush Jr. for asking his administration t tough questions.

Helen hits a home run

It is something to be known as the "dean of the White House press corps" and Helen Thomas, more than anyone else, has been there and seen it all over a career that has lasted for decades. Now it is her turn to tell it all, and she does with dead-on accuracy. She's earned it. Covering every president since JFK, Helen describes each one and the press secretaries with whom she has had to deal. Mincing no words, she reserves some of her harshest judgment for those in the press who fell asleep at the wheel after 9/11. For those of us who wondered who was asking the tough questions, Helen Thomas answers it....they weren't. While we know where the author stands with regard to the current administration she fleshes out her feelings about why this Washington crowd is the worst in years. She spends some time toward the end of the book reflecting on journalists she admires and I was glad to see her include an acquaintance of mine, Pauline Frederick, whose job covering the United Nations was exemplary. Helen had other favorites, too.....Mary McGrory, Scotty Reston and Walter Cronkite, to name just a few others. What is so good about "Watchdogs of Democracy?" is that is not just a collection of remembrances. Helen Thomas also paints a bleak future for "serious" journalism as we now have FOX News passing off as the real thing and a decline in the amount of time news organizations devote to non-entertainment news. Helen Thomas has had a remarkable career and "Watchdogs of Democracy?" is a terrific journalistic addition for those of us who remember the days of the men and women she covered and wonder about the direction of journalism in the twenty-first century. I highly recommend her book for its wisdom and insight.

The corruption and decline of the press

Ms. Thomas is a great lady, a national treasure, and one of the last incorruptible members of the fourth estate. In an exhaustive tour-de-force, she charts every aspect of the state of journalism, from plagiarism scandals, the repeal of the fairness doctrine, the major Supreme Court decisions, corporate media control, the criminal laxness on reporting the Iraq War to the current scripted infomercials of the Bush administration. Through her decades-long coverage of the White House, she details the war against the press by every president: but she reserves a special place for the sleazy practices of both Richard Nixon and George Bush. Her conclusion at every turn is that the current press is indeed failing America through cowardice, sloppiness, corporate bottom lines and pandering - they are forgetting that they occupy an essential place in our democracy, questioning those in power. I have had the personal pleasure of meeting and talking with Ms. Thomas in an informal gathering, and she, not failed directors of the CIA, deserves a Medal of Freedom for her long and great service to truth -- pretty unthinkable from the current administration.

A Must Read!

Helen Thomas has been the true "Watchdog of Democracy" -- covering every president since JFK. Her insights into how press coverage of the White House has changed and evolved (not always for the better) should be required reading for all voters, and students of history, political science and journalism. Written in an easy, conversational tone, it is informative, educational and fun! Republican, Democrat or Independent -- you won't be sorry you purchased this book.