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01/13/2004 Archived Entry: "An anniversary of note."
An anniversary of note.
105 years ago today, Emile Zola had an article entitled J'Accuse! published in the Paris journal, L'Aurore, which set the standard and defined the conduct of the press for nearly a century.
As they have dared, so shall I dare. Dare to tell the truth, as I have pledged to tell it, in full, since the normal channels of justice have failed to do so. My duty is to speak out, not to become an accomplice in this travesty. My nights would otherwise be haunted by the specter of an innocent man, far away, suffering the most horrible of tortures for a crime he did not commit.And it is to you, Mr. President, that I shall proclaim this truth, with all the revulsion that an honest man can summon. Knowing your integrity, I am convinced that you do not know the truth. But to whom if not to you, the first magistrate of the country, shall I reveal the vile baseness of those who truly are guilty?
Imagine if a journalist wrote the modern equivalent of this today. If only we had a journalist with the guts to do it.
With extremely few exceptions, I'd wager most contemporary 'journalists' have never heard of this document. Sad.
Replies: 3 people speak up
I'd say there are plenty who take the initiative to call it as they see it--Paul Krugman for instance.
But I think today there are anti-Dreyfuss's who the wingnuts seek to make immune from fair treatment--Republicans, corporate industry, the wealthy, and authority.
Posted by Mem'rybanker @ 01/13/2004 06:09 PM NY
the media in this country is a lost cause. trying to improve it by pointing out its flaws is meaningless, because no one will hear it. its just beating a dead horse, which can be fun, but is basicly pointless. they need to be replaced, not fixed. integrity is after all just a word
Posted by justin @ 01/13/2004 06:53 PM NY
Probably the journalists are less the problem than the editors and especially the publishers.
It's up to them to choose whether to hire and publish journalists with integrity or stenographers.
Posted by ymr049c @ 01/15/2004 03:07 PM NY
