Helen Thomas has a new book

"Watchdogs of Democracy? : The Waning Washington Press Corps and How It Has Failed the Public."

"Now, the press sees the president only at tightly controlled and orchestrated press conferences. In addition, Thomas sees a growing -- and alarming -- reluctance among reporters to question government spokesmen and probe for the truth. The result has been a wholesale failure by journalists to fulfill what is arguably their most vital role in contemporary American life -- to be the watchdogs of democracy. Today's journalists, according to Thomas, have become subdued, compromised lapdogs." (h/t Voxpogirl)

Helen believes in the blogs also: "But Thomas sees a bright side: she applauds trenchant political cartoonists and believes that the active public interest expressed in Internet blogs may help create transparency."

This should be a great read. You can pre-order your copy here.