"...and now you know what it feels like to be a minority."
April 30, 2017 5:04 AM Subscribe
That killed.
posted by Bringer Tom at 5:32 AM on April 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Bringer Tom at 5:32 AM on April 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
"[MSNBC] is like 'The Russians hacked our elections! The Russians hacked our elections!' Meanwhile everyone in Latin America and the Middle East are like 'Ah! A foreign government tampered with your elections?What is that like? Do tell us MSNBC! ' "
posted by gen at 5:38 AM on April 30, 2017 [40 favorites]
posted by gen at 5:38 AM on April 30, 2017 [40 favorites]
Washington Post has choice quotes. Savage!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:45 AM on April 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:45 AM on April 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
"In four hours, Donald Trump will be tweeting about how bad Nicki Minaj bombed at this dinner, and he'll be doing it completely sober."
posted by gen at 5:48 AM on April 30, 2017 [35 favorites]
posted by gen at 5:48 AM on April 30, 2017 [35 favorites]
Reading the mind of the audience: "hold breath, let no one see me laughing at that one, omg"
posted by sammyo at 5:50 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by sammyo at 5:50 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
The CNN bit is especially good.
posted by mochapickle at 5:53 AM on April 30, 2017
posted by mochapickle at 5:53 AM on April 30, 2017
lot of sourpusses in the crowd shots tho
posted by entropicamericana at 6:02 AM on April 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by entropicamericana at 6:02 AM on April 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
And now I look forward to next year' Dinner, the 45 minutes of each year in which some of the nation's leaders and opinion makers of the major media once lowers their guard to permit a single individual to deliver pointed criticism.
posted by at by at 6:04 AM on April 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by at by at 6:04 AM on April 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
lot of sourpusses in the crowd shots tho
Yeah hard to pick out the journalists from the administration.
posted by hal9k at 6:22 AM on April 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Yeah hard to pick out the journalists from the administration.
posted by hal9k at 6:22 AM on April 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Not The White House Correspondents' Dinner - a Full Frontal one hour special with Samantha Bee.
posted by Paul Slade at 6:33 AM on April 30, 2017 [20 favorites]
posted by Paul Slade at 6:33 AM on April 30, 2017 [20 favorites]
I do not see Steve Bannon. Not see Steve Bannon. NotSee Steve Bannon.
posted by hippybear at 6:33 AM on April 30, 2017 [48 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 6:33 AM on April 30, 2017 [48 favorites]
That was actually a really great speech. Well delivered, well written, good structure. I don't know if the whole Daily Show team worked on that or if it was just Minhaj, but good on them, and good on him for his delivery.
posted by hippybear at 6:51 AM on April 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 6:51 AM on April 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
that was like Colbert-good in his ability to stay jolly while telling jokes that a roomful of dingdongs are afraid to let the cameras see them laughing at, or else just not able to follow. the Fox News/Call of Duty one just got like a low scowly rumble.
posted by queenofbithynia at 6:58 AM on April 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by queenofbithynia at 6:58 AM on April 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Yeah, that crowd response was fascinating. I'm not sure what to make of that. It felt like we not only need to boot the current administration, but a good portion of newsmen(women)/journalists/correspondents as well.
posted by HuronBob at 7:08 AM on April 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by HuronBob at 7:08 AM on April 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
Wow. Nobody gets to rest on their laurels. That was excellent.
posted by ChuraChura at 7:09 AM on April 30, 2017
posted by ChuraChura at 7:09 AM on April 30, 2017
The journalists that get roasted every year always looks like humorless sourpusses. I guess it's a reflection of how seriously they take themselves when at least for the network news channels their main job is infotainment (with a minimum of actual info). They deserve to be savaged because Trump and his ilk are 100% media creations. When you consistently reward oversized caricatures that pull in eyeballs (and advertising dollars) you are going to eventually get a a creature like Trump.
If they were more introspective they'd perhaps look into reason why more and more of the country has gotten to the point where they "trust" leaders like Trump and not the news. But unfortunately it seems like they really only allow those analysis 1 evening and it's back to 364 days of pitching garbage.
posted by vuron at 7:22 AM on April 30, 2017 [22 favorites]
If they were more introspective they'd perhaps look into reason why more and more of the country has gotten to the point where they "trust" leaders like Trump and not the news. But unfortunately it seems like they really only allow those analysis 1 evening and it's back to 364 days of pitching garbage.
posted by vuron at 7:22 AM on April 30, 2017 [22 favorites]
Yes, really well done. I don't watch TDS anymore and never heard of this Nicki Manaj person but he hit it out of the park with timing and style. They couldn't help themselves laughing.
Also, is there a record for a post being sidebarred? cuz DAMN
posted by wallabear at 7:23 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Also, is there a record for a post being sidebarred? cuz DAMN
posted by wallabear at 7:23 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Minhaj: It’s like if a bunch of stripper cops had to solve a real-life murder.
That movie wouldn't be as bad as this administration.
posted by Gelatin at 7:28 AM on April 30, 2017 [24 favorites]
That movie wouldn't be as bad as this administration.
posted by Gelatin at 7:28 AM on April 30, 2017 [24 favorites]
At one point they asked the actual members of the White House reporters to stand. I could count maybe five? Is this essentially the east coast equivalent of the Golden Globes?
posted by sammyo at 7:36 AM on April 30, 2017
posted by sammyo at 7:36 AM on April 30, 2017
There was a lot to unpack in this, and every bit of it was superb. He absolutely excoriated the administration and the press.
Poor press. They're getting it from each end (cf. Trump's bonkers-insane rally).
posted by Room 101 at 7:40 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Poor press. They're getting it from each end (cf. Trump's bonkers-insane rally).
posted by Room 101 at 7:40 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
When they asked White House reporters to stand, there were dozens. CSPAN just chose a bad camera shot (their raison d'être IMHO).
posted by Shotgun Shakespeare at 7:43 AM on April 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Shotgun Shakespeare at 7:43 AM on April 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Poor press. They're getting it from each end (cf. Trump's bonkers-insane rally).
That's one of the things that's baffling -- no matter how much they suck up to conservatives, and dilute any standards they once had in order to pretend Republicans act in good faith, conservatives will never, ever admit the media aren't a bunch of liberal tools. They might as well do their jobs.
posted by Gelatin at 7:43 AM on April 30, 2017 [55 favorites]
That's one of the things that's baffling -- no matter how much they suck up to conservatives, and dilute any standards they once had in order to pretend Republicans act in good faith, conservatives will never, ever admit the media aren't a bunch of liberal tools. They might as well do their jobs.
posted by Gelatin at 7:43 AM on April 30, 2017 [55 favorites]
Applause for "The president is not beyond the reach of the First Amendment" was tepid at best.
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:43 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:43 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Dude killed. KILLED.
posted by NedKoppel at 7:50 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by NedKoppel at 7:50 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
I knew Hasan was going to be good, but it's always great to see expectations meet reality. He's got heart, soul and a brain to boot. I especially thought his equating the press being judged as a group with being a minority as an especially nice turn of the knife.
(Full disclosure: I work at TDS)
posted by nevercalm at 7:55 AM on April 30, 2017 [66 favorites]
(Full disclosure: I work at TDS)
posted by nevercalm at 7:55 AM on April 30, 2017 [66 favorites]
Applause for "The president is not beyond the reach of the First Amendment" was tepid at best.
There was a big applause for "Only in America can a first-generation Indian-American Muslim kid get on this stage and make fun of the president." I get why Americans are really proud of the First Amendment, but it still kind of baffles me why it is so important for them to believe that only America protects political speech.
posted by Killick at 7:57 AM on April 30, 2017 [38 favorites]
There was a big applause for "Only in America can a first-generation Indian-American Muslim kid get on this stage and make fun of the president." I get why Americans are really proud of the First Amendment, but it still kind of baffles me why it is so important for them to believe that only America protects political speech.
posted by Killick at 7:57 AM on April 30, 2017 [38 favorites]
Or, really, that "only in America" is true for most things even 1-2% of the time.
posted by nevercalm at 8:01 AM on April 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by nevercalm at 8:01 AM on April 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
Mostly because Americans have a misguided belief that the US is somehow biggest and bestest and supreme at everything. It's entirely wrong, statistically-provable wrong, but it's somehow a blind spot and delusion.
posted by hippybear at 8:01 AM on April 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 8:01 AM on April 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
Great speeches by Woodward and Bernstein too.
posted by Acey at 8:03 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Acey at 8:03 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Full 2 hour event, from NBC News (official YT)
posted by filthy light thief at 8:06 AM on April 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by filthy light thief at 8:06 AM on April 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Only in America can a first-generation Indian-American Muslim kid get on this stage and make fun of the president."
What he meant was, if a Muslim made fun of the American president outside the US, he'd get a Predator on his ass.
posted by cardboard at 8:07 AM on April 30, 2017 [18 favorites]
What he meant was, if a Muslim made fun of the American president outside the US, he'd get a Predator on his ass.
posted by cardboard at 8:07 AM on April 30, 2017 [18 favorites]
The CNN panelists afterwards referred to Minsk as "the comedian", and focused on his criticism of Trump, rather than his criticism of CNN panel shows.
posted by cardboard at 8:14 AM on April 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by cardboard at 8:14 AM on April 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Dammit, I swear I read gen's comment before making the Nicki Manaj joke again in the space of a few minutes, and Manaj'd to misspell it as well...
posted by wallabear at 8:27 AM on April 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by wallabear at 8:27 AM on April 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Oh wow, that was great.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 8:34 AM on April 30, 2017
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 8:34 AM on April 30, 2017
Mostly because Americans have a misguided belief that the US is somehow biggest and bestest and supreme at everything. It's entirely wrong, statistically-provable wrong, but it's somehow a blind spot and delusion.
This seems to imply that spouting cliches from a narrative we tell ourselves about our national history and character is uniquely American. Are you saying that's our one true only in America moment?
If so, I'm glad we're the bestest at something. USA! USA! USA!
posted by mark k at 9:03 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
This seems to imply that spouting cliches from a narrative we tell ourselves about our national history and character is uniquely American. Are you saying that's our one true only in America moment?
If so, I'm glad we're the bestest at something. USA! USA! USA!
posted by mark k at 9:03 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Honest question: are there other countries which have anything like the White House Correspondents' Dinner? This isn't quite the same thing as having political criticism and satire that the head of state doesn't have to sit and take in public.
Some of it was funny, and some of it (Trump tweeting *sober* and golfing keeping him out of trouble) were obvious jokes drawn on too long, but mostly I want to see a movie about stripper cops having to solve a real crime.
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 9:31 AM on April 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Some of it was funny, and some of it (Trump tweeting *sober* and golfing keeping him out of trouble) were obvious jokes drawn on too long, but mostly I want to see a movie about stripper cops having to solve a real crime.
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 9:31 AM on April 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Most of the reporters were stone faced since the King of the Prom and his retinue didn't show up. They show up to laugh at the President's jokes and schmooze with power, not to see the roast.
posted by benzenedream at 9:52 AM on April 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by benzenedream at 9:52 AM on April 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
> There was a big applause for "Only in America can a first-generation Indian-American Muslim kid get on this stage and make fun of the president." I get why Americans are really proud of the First Amendment, but it still kind of baffles me why it is so important for them to believe that only America protects political speech.
In which other country is anybody going to be on that stage in that building?
posted by at by at 10:32 AM on April 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
In which other country is anybody going to be on that stage in that building?
posted by at by at 10:32 AM on April 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Honest question: are there other countries which have anything like the White House Correspondents' Dinner? This isn't quite the same thing as having political criticism and satire that the head of state doesn't have to sit and take in public.
Canada has an annual parliamentary press gallery dinner that does the same thing.
posted by mightygodking at 10:39 AM on April 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Canada has an annual parliamentary press gallery dinner that does the same thing.
posted by mightygodking at 10:39 AM on April 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
That was so good, Hasan Minhaj is one of the finest comedians of our time. We saw him on his Homecoming King stand up tour a few days after the election, and it was incredibly powerful and moving. His set at last year's Radio and Television Correspondents' Dinner was amazing, too, especially the last five minutes.
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 10:42 AM on April 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 10:42 AM on April 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
That CNN bit -
No YOU tell ME! I'm WATCHING. The NEWS... figure out what you want to say, THEN go on the air.
So true.
posted by ctmf at 10:58 AM on April 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
No YOU tell ME! I'm WATCHING. The NEWS... figure out what you want to say, THEN go on the air.
So true.
posted by ctmf at 10:58 AM on April 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
He did not merely kill, he slew. With a vengeance.
posted by Pallas Athena at 11:04 AM on April 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Pallas Athena at 11:04 AM on April 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Eh, I'm not seeing killing or hilarity, the first 17 minutes were pretty tepid, a few okay jokes that lost impact by trying to extend them beyond the shock of recognition moment, like the USA Today bit early on where the initial joke was somewhat clever as a twist on the dinner as recognition of journalistic excellence, but extending that to a couple more jokes saying pretty much the same thing belabors the point and robs the initial joke of impact.
That was how I felt about most of the monologue up until he got to MSNBC and CNN. The jokes were mostly obvious and didn't offer any real shift in perspective that provides great humor its edge and value. That it was mostly agreeable to my own perspective on things didn't make it better, and neither did it feel all that daring since the comments were things so commonly heard that there was little challenge posed.
The MSNBC comments were a little more challenging, but still a bit off and not helped by his somewhat rushed and undermodulated delivery. More variation in tone and expression might have provided some better breathing room for the jokes and sold a few decent ones a bit better. It was only when he reached the CNN comments that I felt he really hit his stride and found some more meaningful perspective shifts to add weight to the jokes that would carry them beyond the moment. So a solid ending to a mostly uninspired speech.
Then again I've always found the White House Correspondents dinner to be wildly overvalued, so my take surely isn't representative.
posted by gusottertrout at 11:33 AM on April 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
That was how I felt about most of the monologue up until he got to MSNBC and CNN. The jokes were mostly obvious and didn't offer any real shift in perspective that provides great humor its edge and value. That it was mostly agreeable to my own perspective on things didn't make it better, and neither did it feel all that daring since the comments were things so commonly heard that there was little challenge posed.
The MSNBC comments were a little more challenging, but still a bit off and not helped by his somewhat rushed and undermodulated delivery. More variation in tone and expression might have provided some better breathing room for the jokes and sold a few decent ones a bit better. It was only when he reached the CNN comments that I felt he really hit his stride and found some more meaningful perspective shifts to add weight to the jokes that would carry them beyond the moment. So a solid ending to a mostly uninspired speech.
Then again I've always found the White House Correspondents dinner to be wildly overvalued, so my take surely isn't representative.
posted by gusottertrout at 11:33 AM on April 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Honest question: are there other countries which have anything like the White House Correspondents' Dinner?
The Netherlands had one a few months back, mostly because of the success of the US version.
posted by DreamerFi at 11:47 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
The Netherlands had one a few months back, mostly because of the success of the US version.
posted by DreamerFi at 11:47 AM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
What people object to re the "only in America" thing - which I've heard all over the place, from people like Obama - is the implication that there is no other country where an immigrant and/or visible minority can get ahead. Which is really offensive to Canadians, Swedes, Australians, even Brits - all places that have had problems with acceptance of immigration but no more so than the US, and all places where immigrants and non-white people have done very well, thank you.
I remember a friend from India who was shocked when I pointed out that the premiere of one of our provinces was Indo-Canadian; I was more shocked that the NDP had managed to form a government.
posted by jb at 1:11 PM on April 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
I remember a friend from India who was shocked when I pointed out that the premiere of one of our provinces was Indo-Canadian; I was more shocked that the NDP had managed to form a government.
posted by jb at 1:11 PM on April 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
That was damn good.
posted by Liquidwolf at 4:58 PM on April 30, 2017
posted by Liquidwolf at 4:58 PM on April 30, 2017
When the crowd shot catches Dana Bash (about 24:10), she seems on the verge of tears -- not from laughing, but from the state of the nation.
posted by anothermug at 5:25 PM on April 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by anothermug at 5:25 PM on April 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Thanks for posting this. It was quite good. So were the Woodward and Bernstein speeches. Bernstein noting that lies and secrecy are a combination to watch. And that the press should not only follow the money but also the lies.
The Nazi Steve Bannon joke took me a moment....
posted by zarq at 7:40 AM on May 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
The Nazi Steve Bannon joke took me a moment....
posted by zarq at 7:40 AM on May 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
I get why Americans are really proud of the First Amendment, but it still kind of baffles me why it is so important for them to believe that only America protects political speech.
In the Samantha Bee anti-White House Press Corps Dinner show, they quoted a stat saying that only 13% of the world's population lives in countries with freedom of the press. I was curious and honestly a bit skeptical, but this seems fairly legit. Would love to hear from mefites in the countries listed as "partially free" or "not free" and see if you agree or disagree.
So if this is right, no the US is not the only country, but it is pretty unique for us to have these liberties and we shouldn't take them for granted.
posted by lunasol at 8:09 AM on May 1, 2017
In the Samantha Bee anti-White House Press Corps Dinner show, they quoted a stat saying that only 13% of the world's population lives in countries with freedom of the press. I was curious and honestly a bit skeptical, but this seems fairly legit. Would love to hear from mefites in the countries listed as "partially free" or "not free" and see if you agree or disagree.
So if this is right, no the US is not the only country, but it is pretty unique for us to have these liberties and we shouldn't take them for granted.
posted by lunasol at 8:09 AM on May 1, 2017
Personally, I didn't love this routine - I thought there were some really good bits, but a lot of it felt like retreads. However, I do wonder if part of it is the fact that the audience reaction was so muted. Such a big part of stand-up is laughing along with other people, and that can play a big part in whether or not something registers as funny.
posted by lunasol at 8:11 AM on May 1, 2017
posted by lunasol at 8:11 AM on May 1, 2017
Such a big part of stand-up is laughing along with other people, and that can play a big part in whether or not something registers as funny.
I can't find it now but there are interviews with Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers that talk about how awkward that ballroom is for a comedy performance. It is the antithesis of an intimate venue. Plus the audience knows there are many cameras trained on them trying to see if they are reacting. That certainly puts the damper on some people's reactions.
posted by mmascolino at 8:26 AM on May 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
I can't find it now but there are interviews with Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers that talk about how awkward that ballroom is for a comedy performance. It is the antithesis of an intimate venue. Plus the audience knows there are many cameras trained on them trying to see if they are reacting. That certainly puts the damper on some people's reactions.
posted by mmascolino at 8:26 AM on May 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
There was a moment where Minhaj commented on how weird a gig it was because of the setting/audience etc which I assume was not prepared.
posted by TwoWordReview at 9:52 AM on May 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by TwoWordReview at 9:52 AM on May 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Finally watching this now, and I'm laughing *a lot* more than the audience. That said, his delivery might be a little too quick for this crowd. And he is definitely roasting them - that line at 15:10 about Brian Williams was just perfect.
Now back to the last 10 minutes...
posted by martin q blank at 11:11 AM on May 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
Now back to the last 10 minutes...
posted by martin q blank at 11:11 AM on May 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
In the Samantha Bee anti-White House Press Corps Dinner show, they quoted a stat saying that only 13% of the world's population lives in countries with freedom of the press. I was curious and honestly a bit skeptical, but this seems fairly legit. Would love to hear from mefites in the countries listed as "partially free" or "not free" and see if you agree or disagree.
So if this is right, no the US is not the only country, but it is pretty unique for us to have these liberties and we shouldn't take them for granted.
If you're interested in congratulating yourself on the state of media in America that's your prerogative, but I can't see any reason you'd want to do so--this bit explicitly points out that all our major media outlets are doing incredible shit jobs. In light of that, how important is a "free press" (whatever that means in the context of your link, I have no idea) versus an effective press. I'd rather think the former is pointless in isolation.
Furthermore, at least for me, I think the 1st amendment is very bad law, at least as interpreted. Unrestricted (yes, yes, fire in a theater, whatever) free speech is bad when it starts to hurt people, either through fake news or hate speech or whatever else.
posted by TypographicalError at 11:30 AM on May 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
So if this is right, no the US is not the only country, but it is pretty unique for us to have these liberties and we shouldn't take them for granted.
If you're interested in congratulating yourself on the state of media in America that's your prerogative, but I can't see any reason you'd want to do so--this bit explicitly points out that all our major media outlets are doing incredible shit jobs. In light of that, how important is a "free press" (whatever that means in the context of your link, I have no idea) versus an effective press. I'd rather think the former is pointless in isolation.
Furthermore, at least for me, I think the 1st amendment is very bad law, at least as interpreted. Unrestricted (yes, yes, fire in a theater, whatever) free speech is bad when it starts to hurt people, either through fake news or hate speech or whatever else.
posted by TypographicalError at 11:30 AM on May 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
Cannot favorite this monologue enough! I'm actually, not-kidding, low-level worried that he will end up on an overnight plane to Gitmo after this. He made me proud as a fellow American & person of color.
posted by honey badger at 7:36 PM on May 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by honey badger at 7:36 PM on May 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Furthermore, at least for me, I think the 1st amendment is very bad law, at least as interpreted. Unrestricted (yes, yes, fire in a theater, whatever) free speech is bad when it starts to hurt people, either through fake news or hate speech or whatever else.
I have a very hard time believing the 1st Amendment's limits on the government's power to restrict speech do more harm than the Trump administration would do if those limits were removed. Giving the government more power to restrict speech would be an utter disaster right now.
posted by straight at 1:15 PM on May 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
I have a very hard time believing the 1st Amendment's limits on the government's power to restrict speech do more harm than the Trump administration would do if those limits were removed. Giving the government more power to restrict speech would be an utter disaster right now.
posted by straight at 1:15 PM on May 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
In light of that, how important is a "free press" (whatever that means in the context of your link, I have no idea) versus an effective press.
Portugal is a top 20 country and the "free press" are mostly hacks and interns serving a master, with the editorial line often suspiciously close to a narrative pushed by some people in the right-wing cycles. In the last few year there's a social media page edited by anonymous people that burst onto the scene that picks up on the hidden games and decline of quality and standards in newspapers and media. Expresso, one of the reference newspapers, got a interview with them. They are often targeted for the fast & loose connections they have with PSD (European People's Party), and the editor went on to twitter to make some allegations about the identity of the authors which is troubling to say the least. They also have access to the Panama Papers, and after accusing a number of journalists of being on the GES (the largest private banking group here, that collapsed in 2014) payroll, never followed up on the story, to the dismay of the journalists union, since every single one of them that did coverage is under suspicion for about a year. Publico has championed causes like charter schools or privatization of medical schools without disclosing ties their editors have with said interests since they put a new lead editor in, and right now, they're backing who's essentially a nobody running to the Porto mayorship for PSD. The less said about the heavily politicized economic newspapers, the better (one of them never passed an opportunity to criticise a workers' strike - until their checks started bouncing and decided to strike). The biggest selling newspaper is total tabloid trash.
This is a sample of the "free press" we have. They are free from government interference, but are completely bound by corporate or political interests. Maybe the free press indexes should start accounting for those interests taking over newsrooms instead of just governments.
posted by lmfsilva at 3:55 PM on May 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
Portugal is a top 20 country and the "free press" are mostly hacks and interns serving a master, with the editorial line often suspiciously close to a narrative pushed by some people in the right-wing cycles. In the last few year there's a social media page edited by anonymous people that burst onto the scene that picks up on the hidden games and decline of quality and standards in newspapers and media. Expresso, one of the reference newspapers, got a interview with them. They are often targeted for the fast & loose connections they have with PSD (European People's Party), and the editor went on to twitter to make some allegations about the identity of the authors which is troubling to say the least. They also have access to the Panama Papers, and after accusing a number of journalists of being on the GES (the largest private banking group here, that collapsed in 2014) payroll, never followed up on the story, to the dismay of the journalists union, since every single one of them that did coverage is under suspicion for about a year. Publico has championed causes like charter schools or privatization of medical schools without disclosing ties their editors have with said interests since they put a new lead editor in, and right now, they're backing who's essentially a nobody running to the Porto mayorship for PSD. The less said about the heavily politicized economic newspapers, the better (one of them never passed an opportunity to criticise a workers' strike - until their checks started bouncing and decided to strike). The biggest selling newspaper is total tabloid trash.
This is a sample of the "free press" we have. They are free from government interference, but are completely bound by corporate or political interests. Maybe the free press indexes should start accounting for those interests taking over newsrooms instead of just governments.
posted by lmfsilva at 3:55 PM on May 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
There was a big applause for "Only in America can a first-generation Indian-American Muslim kid get on this stage and make fun of the president." I get why Americans are really proud of the First Amendment, but it still kind of baffles me why it is so important for them to believe that only America protects political speech.
Or that it even does protect political speech consistently. (There's someone who is going to be put in jail for laughing at Jeff Sessions, remember?)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:25 PM on May 5, 2017
Or that it even does protect political speech consistently. (There's someone who is going to be put in jail for laughing at Jeff Sessions, remember?)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:25 PM on May 5, 2017
« Older "It's a symbiotic relationship." | We were out for a Sunday drive Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by gen at 5:23 AM on April 30, 2017 [8 favorites]