Fatuous

In an online exchange with his paper's readers this week, New York Times Executive Editor Bill Keller pointed out that "there is a diminishing supply of quality journalism, and a growing demand. By quality journalism, I mean the kind that involves experienced reporters going places, bearing witness, digging into records, developing sources, checking and double-checking, backed by editors who try to enforce high standards. I mean journalism that, however imperfect, labors hard to be trustworthy, to supply you with the information you need to be an engaged citizen. The supply of this kind of journalism is declining because it is hard, expensive, sometimes dangerous work."

No, Mr. Keller, it's not because it's hard, expensive, sometimes dangerous work. It's because you and your corporate masters don't want that kind of work done, you don't want it in your newspapers. The wrong people might get witness borne on them, their records exposed. Can't have that.

You don't practice "quality journalism" because you don't want to. If you did, you would.

(h/t Eschaton and cab drollery)