How does a democracy survive journalism this bad?

[Takket]

Marc Elias called this out. So I read it.

It is unconscionably horrible.

He lays the blame for our loss of voting rights completely on Democrats. Look at this line:

nstead of securing our democracy, experts and insiders familiar with the process say, the Democrats’ push to safeguard national elections has become a complete failure of political strategy, ill-matched to the demands of the moment and so overreaching that it was doomed from the start despite the broad popularity of several of the reforms it proposed.

Snip

He blames Democrats for trying to enact reforms with “broad popularity”. Um. THAT IS THEIR FUCKING JOB. politicians are supposed to do what their constituents want. THAT IS WHY WE FUCKING ELECT THEM.


SHEGHSTBANAGNAYJTJTNS 2535)/5!/($))

Yes I am yelling. Blames Democrats for doing what the public wants instead of rethugs for NOT doing what the public wants.

Here is the whole thing.

https://www.grid.news/story/politics/2022/01/14/a-tactical-mistake-inside-the-democrats-year-of-failed-attempts-to-mend-a-fraying-democracy/

Link to tweet

?s=21

Link to tweet

?s=21

[brooklynite]

1. Because "journalism this bad" is inconsequential.

When did you ever read "Grid News". When did anyone else?

[dpibel]

9. As Elias mentions, it's a new operation

You can see that in the tweets in the OP. Appears to have started around November of last year.

So part of the answer to "when did you ever?" is that no one has had much of a chance to yet.

It appears to me that you are hand-waving this, imperiously as ever, as some sort of rando blog so who cares.

If you were to look at the masthead for Grid News, you'd be able to discover that it is (or at least claims to be) staffed--amazingly well-staffed, just in terms of numbers--by actual experienced editors and reporters.

Someone has dumped a bunch of money into this operation. Not immediately ascertainable by me who is the bucks behind the deal.

So the fact that you've not heard of Grid News may not be the ultimate word on whether or not it's worthy of attention.

Just for instance, here's the bio of the writer of the article at issue here, who appears to be a bit weightier than some blogger with a keyboard:

"Steve Reilly is an investigative reporter for Grid focusing on threats to democracy. He was previously an investigative reporter for USA Today’s national investigative team, where his reporting led to reforms in rape kit processing protocols, helped spur congressional hearings on the security of the nation’s power grid and prompted national improvements in background checks for teachers. He has also worked as an investigative reporter for the Washington Post and as the reporting assistant for Washington Post Associate Editor Bob Woodward. Steve was a finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting, has twice been a finalist for the Livingston Awards for Young Journalists, and has won awards from the Education Writers Association, New York News Publishers Association and other organizations. He has appeared on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NPR, ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, the BBC, C-SPAN and other outlets to discuss his reporting. He is a graduate of Vassar College."

YM, as usual, clearly V.

[dpibel]

10. Gosh, look who did!

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/12/business/grid-news-site-live.html

[allegorical oracle]

8. One of the grimiest fallacies being perpetrated by

Sinema is that Dems mustn't mess with the filibuster lest the Republicans retaliate in the future with a similar move. Have no doubt whatsoever: Republicans will use the "nuclear option" whenever it benefits them in the future -- whether or not it's used this session.

[at140]

3. No worries, majority of voters do not follow journalism

Majority of voters are not political junkies, unlike us posters on DU.
Most can not name who are their 2 senators from their state. much less their congress rep.
Many people vote based on who they like. That was a factor in 2020.
Trump reminded many women of their ex-husband.

[unblock]

4. But it matters, it still affects them

Everything about the Hillary's email saga was a nightmare of horrendous journalism

In the end it played a pivotal role in the election

Many may not pay attention to the news at all, but they get the gist of the headline stories, if only because their friends are taking about it -- in a way heavily influenced by media bias.

[unblock]

5. Oh look, a Republican briefly pretended to be cooperative then refused to follow through

As if that's never been part of their game plan.

As if they didn't know that would delay things further

As if they didn't know the media would never ever call them out on their blatant stall tactics.


Republicans have a troll army across the country making it harder for democrats to register, stay registered, vote, and have their vote counted at all; never mind equally.

Sure, mcturtle was ever willing to put an end to the voter suppression crap that helps get his party more power.

Sure.

[NewHendoLib]

6. I think in many cases it is intentionally bad.