Tim Russert and Future Journalism

I’ve been affected by the unexpected death of Tim Russert of NBC News yesterday as though it were the death of a friend or family member. A voice inside criticizes: “Why don’t you forget it and pay attention to your own life; you didn’t even know him!” It’s a nasty little voice, largely born of my father, that would tear down my caring for anything at all. I have to acknowledge it as part of myself though, it’s no good simply blaming it on my dad.

I did in fact know Tim Russert, as anyone familiar with NBC News and particularly his own program, “Meet the Press” would know him. That familiarity in itself doesn’t account for all I feel with the news of his death yesterday afternoon. What affects me more profoundly perhaps is the loss of the quality he brought to television journalism. It isn’t that I fear the loss of that quality; I’m not so cynical as to think no one will take up the mantle as best they can. I also know his life will always be an example for others to follow. He has made a lasting contribution, and his influence lives on in recordings of his broadcasts as well as in the work of those who associate with him.

Most of all I’ll miss the personal quality he brought to his work. There was always a certain warmth to his presence emanating through sound and screen. His presence could at once lift a journalistic conversation to a higher level and also convey assurance even in deepest crisis. He always seemed to possess an inner balance no matter how dire a controversy might seem. He never allowed himself to become politically polarized, as passionate as he obviously was about American politics. He somehow kept his political preferences personal, even from close friends, but he had a passion for seeking truth and demanding accountability in every interview, while never forsaking a sense of respect for the person he interviewed, combined with obvious curiosity about individual responses to questions. As one journalist put it, “he not only asked the right questions, he listened to the answers.”

He represented a type of journalism that sought to explore issues and inform the public, rather than one seeking to persuade. Though his questions could be tough, he never browbeat his guest and he always gave them ample time to respond. If anyone came off badly in an interview it was because of their own words as evidence against themselves and not because of any implication imposed by Russert.

The tension between true journalism as represented by Tim Russert and the tabloid or “yellow” journalistic style increasingly exploited over cable outlets will undoubtedly continue. The present danger is that commercial media takeover and amalgamation of print, broadcast and cable news outlets may serve only to further diminish the role of true investigative reporting. It all happens so easily, with the public too easily convinced by easy answers and black and white opinions and the use of news programs as background noise more than a focus of real attention.

Public Radio and Television deserve restoration to adequate government funding to allow them to operate free of corporate censure. CSPAN deserves recognition and funding as a source of unedited broadcast. These outlets can encourage commercial broadcasting to maintain a journalistic ethic centered on accurate and full news reporting and informative comment unaffected by concerns for profit margin. Members of the public can play their part by expressing preference for the type of commentary Tim Russert so faithfully represented throughout his career.

For now, we can all support the remaining news outlets that reflect these high standards. Newspapers such as The Washington Post and The New York Times remain essentially untouched by contamination. Public broadcasting, though hampered by increasingly limited funding, remains a relatively free outlet for news and opinion. The three major television networks, NBC, CBS and NBC still retain elements of good broadcast journalism, though the evident stresses of corporate demand are ever present. Cable news remains the chief battleground for good journalism, and the real danger resides here because of the growing presence of cable and satellite broadcasting and its round-the-clock presence in all locations. MSNBC, perhaps because of its association with NBC News, retains the highest reporting standard among the three major cable news outlets. CNN once found its mission in full and accurate news reporting to a worldwide audience but is increasingly subject to sensationalism. FOX News seems more intent on reflecting a specific political doctrine than accurate reporting, often relying upon selective and distorted information to promote a specific outlook. Good journalism still survives here occasionally despite the odds.

Public opinion is finally the only effective weapon against the pervasive effects of yellow journalism. Public refusal to access such outlets can effectively drive them out of business. The source of our problem is the inertia of ignorance itself, and the only solution is the growing power of education and its demand for effective change.

For now, it can only be hoped that collective grief combined with general recognition of Tim Russert’s great contribution to television journalism will serve to elevate the general standard at least for a while. The climate giving rise to the overall success of polarized reporting so often shown in FOX News broadcasts is systemic in our political culture just now. It may not change until a new administration takes office, gradually renewing American faith that progressive rather than reactionary ideas can in fact bring beneficial results for all elements of our society.

P. S. I placed the following condolence message on the NBC web site this morning. You can find the site at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/ or russert.condolences@nbcuni.com if you would like to write to the Russert family and NBC staff as well.

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“I share with many Americans my deepest condolences to Tim Russert’s family, the journalist and staff of NBC and MSNBC News, and Tim’s journalist friends on other networks. I join my expression with the ocean of feeling coming from people all around this nation and the world who were so deeply touched by Tim’s thought and personality so fully conveyed through his work. He brought a special quality to everything he did or said that was purely Tim.

I deeply appreciate the open sharing from NBC and MSNBC news staff during these past hours. I am so grateful to MSNBC for broadcasting without commercial break or conflicting subject during the hours immediately following Tim’s death. I know you may have never thought of doing otherwise, but all your viewers felt that you really made them part of your family when you shared so deeply as you did during that time and as I know you will continue to do over the next days and even months. We all share your loss and we share also your deep appreciation of the opportunity to work with Tim.

The quality he brought to his work was an inner balance and since of transcendent value that governed his words and actions. He saw the highest potential in everyone he interviewed and he sought to provide an opportunity for those potentials to emerge. He also accepted it when they did not, and passed no judgment, allowing the interview itself to stand as witness to the result. His voice and presence will be greatly missed and no one will ever quite take his place. Still, I know we all join in hope that his influence will cause all of us everywhere to live our lives with deeper commitment than we may have managed before now.

With sincere best wishes to everyone!”

Doug Robinson

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“Change We Can Believe In” - After Forty Years of Waiting

This past week not only brought the 2008 Democratic Primary to a close with Barack Obama’s climactic St. Paul speech where he could finally declare himself the nominee, it exposed the wrenching difficulty of bringing the not-quite-successful Clinton campaign to closure as well. Beyond these immediate events and concerns were reminders of another heroic campaign forty years ago against equally entrenched establishment forces and the inclusive, healing message first heard at that time and now given new voice in this present campaign. A design greater than human seems behind Obama’s acceptance of the Kennedy mantle and his decision to speak from Indianapolis on Martin Luther King’s Birthday this year. The Clintons in turn mirror Lyndon Johnson’s assumed control of the Democratic Party of his time with the attached lesson that real change involves more than legislation; it is a matter of spirit and vision. Hillary Clinton’s speech on Saturday, June 7, finally suspending her campaign following what must have been agonizing hours of indecision, may have served to break the restraining mold of the past, at least as far as the Clintons themselves are concerned.

Hillary Clinton showed uncommon courage in her campaign suspension speech. In doing so, she overcame negative impressions left from her inability to effectively end her campaign on Tuesday, June 3, when she retained the atmosphere of a victory speech and even had herself introduced as, “The next President of the United States.” Gone in this final speech were the combative language and the pasted on smile. These were replaced by a serious and sometimes painful expression, especially when she intoned the Obama slogan, “Yes we can!” But she showed her inner strength in continuing through this pain and clearly expressing support for Obama.

The dedication of Clinton’s supporters in this gathering was obvious. No doubt their voiced resistance to her capitulation made her message even harder to deliver. This speech was devoid of layered meanings for opposing groups to construe at will. The message was direct and unequivocal that Hillary Clinton chose to throw her support behind Obama and to campaign wholeheartedly on his behalf. She also entrusted her cause to Obama and encouraged her supporters to join his campaign, stating that any Democratic administration would prove more beneficial than a Republican one.

In doing this, Senator Clinton left no doubt that she still considers herself the superior candidate. She did speak to Obama’s sincerity, however, and to her conviction that she would be able to further her causes during an Obama administration. She is to be commended for her forthrightness in not proclaiming something as yet unfelt. Obama now has ample time to prove his worth to Hillary Clinton, her supporters and to all Americans. Hillary Clinton has found opportunity for personal growth in finally accepting this challenge of capitulation and dedication to a larger campaign.

Whatever happens now, this campaign has presented Hillary Clinton with valuable lessons: never underestimate an opponent, never consider victory inevitable, unite rather than attempt to divide, and remain true to your message. Clinton lost her campaign for the Presidency by underestimating not only Barack Obama but John Edwards as well. She and her staff were clearly baffled when victory eluded them in Iowa, South Carolina and then on Super Tuesday. The old tactic of attempting to play one group against another had only limited success and caused even supporters to view her as unlikable. Still, Hillary Clinton fought a courageous campaign, especially toward the end when she showed more of her positive attributes by dropping negative attacks against Obama and concentrating on issues.

With occasional exceptions, Obama effectively set the tone for this campaign from the beginning and succeeded in winning against the odds. It is hard now to remember that Obama was not expected to win Iowa, but he did. He was not expected to win in South Carolina, but he did. The momentum began to build from there and has continued against increasingly varied opposition that has only served to prepare the campaign for the upcoming general election.

The seminal points of Obama’s message are healing and inclusiveness. Obama’s campaign brings healing for the collective psychological abuse brought to American society through eight years of the Bush administration’s fear and hate mongering. His campaign seeks to reach out and include all people rather than attempting to exploit differences and pit one group against another as successive Republican campaigns have done. Obama brings hope for substantial change within institutions, approaches, and attitudes; and he embodies this change within his own demeanor. He is fully committed to the change he promotes and to the hope he espouses, and liberally transmits energy to others as they take up the cause and make it their own.

Obama’s campaign represents a sea change in American politics, bringing with it a fresh outlook on domestic, social, environmental and economic policy and a new commitment to US involvement and leadership within the wider world community. No potential leader since Robert Kennedy has articulated such a vision for wholeness and reform within America. It is time that the dream of forty years ago, shared by John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, finally becomes a reality. Barack Obama now carries the Kennedy mantle in response to a greater design than we may see, but its energy pulses within our hearts, calling us to feel it together and promote this worthy man to service as our leader.