In this age of news sharks and too much sensationalism, it was nice to have someone like Tim Russert to tune into. He was honest and straightforward and asked the questions that needed to be asked. Pardon the cliche, but he was like a breath of fresh air in a field where ego maniacs often prevail. Tim was the people's journalist. He was like a next door neighbor that you wouldn't hesitate to borrow a quart of milk or a rake from. He was the kind of person who would greet others with a smile and that typically wonderful grace of his. At 58, he was taken from us much too soon.
My mother(now age 77) says she and my Dad would religiously tape each one of his Meet the Press shows. My friend Greg(also a former broadcast journalist) says that Russert's death proves that we can take things and people for granted and we shouldn't do that. I told my boss at work, who was the first to break the news to me, that this is further evidence that we should live each day with zest because we never know how much time we have left.
I hope Russert's form of honest discourse survives in some way shape or manner. The world needs more Tim Russerts. May you rest in peace.
3 comments:
I donno about "people's journalist"... I don't even know if such a person exists - at least in the realm of commercial network news.
Maybe Uncle Walter once was or maybe Bill Moyers comes close to being a people' journalist but ...
producers, sponsors and corporation arm twisters have massaged and twisted stuff to match their own desires and the government has become very good at misinformation that I don't think the talking heads we see are all that effective.
I haven't watched network or local news shows in years. Thankfully we still have PBS and the internet.
Good point. When I see an environmental special sponsored by Shell Oil, I am skeptical. How hard hitting will the story actually be? That's why I like Bill Moyers. He consciously tries to steer clear of corporate influence on the media. He has written many articles on the subject and is not beer drinking buddies with Rupert Murdoch or Ted Turner.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I haven't written about Russert yet because I don't know what to say. I've been angry at him in recent months because of remarks he made about Hillary, but I've always admired his work and agree with what you said.
I can't think of anyone who's currently working who could maintain the same standards on Meet the Press.
Post a Comment