What Liberal Media? Washington Post Sacks Dan Froomkin
By Nicole Belle Friday Jun 19, 2009 4:30am
The Washington Post is dead to me:
(T)he Washington Post has terminated its relationship with liberal columnist/blogger Dan Froomkin. Froomkin authored the "White House Watch" blog and was told today that the blog had essentially run its course.
Washington Post Media Communications Director Kris Coratti tells POLITICO that "our editors and research teams are constantly reviewing our columns, blogs and other content to make sure we're giving readers the most value when they are on our site while balancing the need to make the most of our resources. Unfortunately, this means that sometimes features must be eliminated, and this time it was the blog that Dan Froomkin freelanced for washingtonpost.com."
"Run its course"???? WTF? But David Broder, who has been at WaPo since God was a little boy and whose never been in a coffeeshop he couldn't find some colorful local to confirm his preconceived (and generally wrong) notions, is still relevant? Bill Kristol, for whom the Washington Post had to issue not one or two, but THREE retractions for direct misinformation he tried to squeeze into his typical hack op-ed, is still worth holding on to. Charles farkin' Krauthammer, who has no business opining anywhere he has gotten so much wrong, is still collecting a WaPo paycheck.
But Dan Froomkin, whom Andrew Sullivan calls the "best blogger" at the paper and who is the author of 3 of the 10 most linked to articles at WaPo, is not someone worth keeping on staff?
Glenn Greenwald suspects that Froomkin was on the losing end of some internal power struggles:
Notably, Froomkin just recently had a somewhat acrimonious exchange with the oh-so-oppressed Krauthammer over torture, after Froomkin criticized Krauthammer's explicit endorsement of torture and Krauthammer responded by calling Froomkin's criticisms "stupid." And now -- weeks later -- Froomkin is fired by the Post while the persecuted Krauthammer, comparing himself to endangered journalists in Venezuela, remains at the Post, along with countless others there who think and write just like he does: i.e., standard neoconservative pablum. Froomkin was previously criticized for being "highly opinionated and liberal" by Post ombudsman Deborah Howell (even as she refused to criticize blatant right-wing journalists).
Seriously? Does the Washington Post not realize that all these neo-cons they give endless column inches to are what's ruining this country? Steven Benen:
If Froomkin is leaving the Post, it’s a real loss. Froomkin has been a great writer with keen instincts, often picking up on a burgeoning story before it’s gained traction elsewhere. Froomkin was one of the media’s most important critics of the Bush White House, and conservative bashing notwithstanding, was poised to be just as valuable holding the Obama White House accountable for its decisions.
If you like to share your opinion of the Washington Post's hiring choices, you can contact Ombudsman Andrew Alexander at ombudsman@washpost.com. Me, personally? I'm just deleting the bookmark. If I wanted neo-con and fact free tripe from Will, Kagan, Kristol and Broder, I'll just watch Fox News.
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a couple of years ago when it was also apparent what kind of rag WAPO was turning into.
I removed the bookmark too. Dan was the only reason I went to WaPo in the afternoons.
I signed up some years back to get the WaPo via email each day. I can't tell you the last time I opened one of them and read it. Just no reason to and now I have a reason not to.
Yep, I totally agree. It's one thing to not passively not read the WaPo. It's quite another to actively ignore it altogether.
I canceled my subscription this morning and wrote the "non-budsman" to tell them why. One less bill to pay.
I have to admit I'm getting frustrated with the news.
The morning news seem to be controlled by giggling women who talk to you like a three year old.
They try so hard to represent every sub-population of the population at large, but so far I haven't seen any left handed albinos with a nervous twitch.
This morning they were talking about the weather and the Jonas Brothers.
Nothing important like Obama swatting a fly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGALMMAz_Wk
...I know you are irritated when you don't make at least one pun.
The morning news just might be worse than reality teevee. At least Charm School knows what it is: just an excuse to watch grown women in school girl outfits get drunk and insult each other. The morning "news" magazines are actually trying to sell us legitimacy and it's revolting to watch.
What about the twitchy albino?
"Krauthammer, comparing himself to endangered journalists in Venezuela..."
Oh, he's playing that game, too? I have to admit... It's pretty damn fun.
I had to clean the litterbox this morning. It was like being the bottom guy in a mass grave.
I sucked on my cut finger this morning
Does that make me a vampire?
I had to walk my dog in dewy wet grass this morning so I know how the folks felt in NOLA after Katrina hit.
My toilet backed up and it was just like being in New Orleans during Katrina.
I got up this morning, and I'll go to bed tonight. Now I know what it's like to experience the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. And typing this was just like the Bataan Death March for my fingers.
now I know what it feels like to cancel all my subscriptions and not watch any broadcast media for decades but still manage to think myself better informed than those around me.
...and it rolled a few inches away before I could pick it up. I feel just like Bill Buckner.
I know this will sound perfectly awful, but upon reading that write up, it sounds very much like a "Krauthammer vs Froomkin" dust-up, with Krauthammer making an "either he goes or I go" ultimatum. And (I apologize in advance), Krauthammer, being disabled, won out because the WaPo was afraid of the backlash if they fired the disabled guy.
Maybe.
They have the same problem at the Dallas VA hospital. Alot of us are on restricted diets due to heart disease, strokes, obesity and diabetes. And what's the first thing we smell going in?
Hot buttered popcorn. Every now and then the VA hospital tries to push out this contractor, but he hires guys in wheelchairs to sell the popcorn, and the hospital is both afraid of our health, and this guy going public with, "The VA hospital hates the disabled!"
The Dour-Kraut is disabled alright...between the ears.
Maybe Froomkin wrote a piece on single payer healthcare? That would get him.
I woke up to a beautiful "just because I love you" gift from my husband this morning. Such a wonderful way to begin the day. Then I turned on the news and felt a dark cloud beginning to hover above me. No more news for me today except what I find here at C&L. I refuse to let a bunch of talking heads on tv take away this lovely day.
I was in a very good mood this morning, with a song stuck in my head, going round and round - then I got in the car - 1st thing is Bill Press on Sirius, with a Washington congressmaroon, telling us how we can just pound sand for most any sort of health care reform - smoke roils out of my ears!
Then I get here, pop open my email, do my quick paruse of C&L with my coffee at my desk, and this B.S. with the WaPo. I have for the most part had it, and so have all of us. We the people are of no concern to our representatives, and the 5th estate is officially d-e-a-d. I think I'll just go back to listening to the song stuck in my head. Have as great a day as you can.
I hate being ignorant and not in the know on events, but sometimes life is worth being ignorant and not in the know in order to enjoy it. I guess it's sort of a mental timeout.
...but just don't quit on us (I know you won't). It's exactly what They want, for all the reasons we have discussed for years here.
(that reminds me....time for me to pony up for a C&L donation)
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 06:26 — Seattle_Truthseeker
This'yll unstick it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skU-jBFzXl0
The Washington Post has been dead for me since it's disgusting and misleading coverage of the run-up to the war in Iraq.
If I ever considered giving it another try, it went away with the savage sexism and stupidity with which it covered Hillary Clinton during the campaign.
It is good, I suppose, for wrapping fish.
http://cheekynationalist.files.wordpress.com/...
It's just another way the owners of America are trying to prevent the spread of information, this way there is less opposition to the misinformation that they spread themselves.
For all of the good it will do. I've also turned on the status bar so I can make sure that I don't click links that take me to Washington Post's websites. All of this will be for naught if they don't feel any pain over this. I'm talking about targeting advertizers as well as NEVER, EVER clicking on anything Washington Post. What good does it do to bitch about Will and Krauthammer and Kristol and then use their services and see their advertizing? Take the pledge, never use WaPo again. MAKE them fail. This insidious campaign to purge liberals from the traditional media has got to stop and if it means making them fail, then so be it. We didn't start this but we must finish it or never be taken seriously.
It would be kinda cool if Froomkin occasionally posted a guest post here at C&L. Can you hear me Mr. Froomkin? :)
I wanted to be sure to come by and thank C&L for promoting the Million Can March on the blog round up. Bags of groceries are already showing up at local food pantries across the country. One million cans of food by July 4th: Yes we can! Thanks Blue Gal
43 cans, six boxes and four 1 pound bags of rice last trip.
I was wondering if that was you. I've add this to the total. Thanks!
Shouldn't be too hard to tell. I'm as full of piss and vinegar as ever.
those bags of groceries were all sugar and spice.
Join the Million Can March and feed the hungry July 4th
I will miss Mr.Froomkin's writing. I wish him the best of luck with his next writing gig.
I was looking forward to seeing how Froomkin would hold the Obama White House accountable. Now I will never know.
Why would I read the WAPO?
The paper irretrievably sucked anyway. Now it just sucks more.
*
The Washington Post has been a rightwing rag for years. I quit reading it in the 90's.
The coporate fascist's who own the MSM in this country are prepared for battle. They are entrenching themselves for a long protracted war if need be.
They've got the papers, but we've got the numbers.
Congratulations on your firing of Dan Froomkin from your news(?)paper. Considering the writers you have elected to keep in lieu of Froomkin, you will make a terrific compliment to the Fox News Channel; All neocon noise, all the time.
My only regret is that I don't have a subscription with your paper that I could cancel. I hope you take pride in assisting the neocons in their neverending war on our democracy.
Scott Voss
Gunnery Sergeant
U.S. Marine Corps (Ret)
To the Ombudsman, Washington Post:
I have recently discovered that the Post has let go a major reason why I’ve continued to read the Post online since I left the DC region 4 years ago – Dan Froomkin. His blog was always excellently written and extremely factual, while maintaining the blog style of linking to many different sources and stories. In addition, Froomkin himself would cheerfully answer the rare email I sent to him, whereas your other, more opinionated and less factual writers like Charles Krauthammer couldn’t be bothered to respond. Interestingly, marginal figures such as Krauthammer keep their jobs while Froomkin, who currently has three of the top 10 most linked stories on Washingtonpost.com, has been let go.
A major reason for me to visit the Post daily is now gone – and the echo chamber that is your opinion page has now nearly purged itself of anything but neoconservative voices.
"The Washington Post is dead to me:"
What took you so long. I haven't read a newspaper, paper or on the internet, in over 8 years.
...that one of the reasons to keep a full stable of wingnut writers is a misguided way to increase readership. Factual and/or progressive writing is "boring" while vicious, stupid, and often comforting-in-its-assurances-that-Daddy-will-take-care-of-everything that comes from the pen of the right is "entertaining". Why a supposed paper which disseminates news would rather be entertaining than publish balanced, factual articles is beyond me, except for the obvious:
they work for a side and are hardly objective.
since my job was eliminated back at the start of 2003. I only ever looked at it 'cause it was free - I worked at a conference center and we had newspapers from all over the world for our guests.
As for Krauthammer, I completely understand why he left practice as a psychiatrist - who would ever pay to look at his mug and/or put any stock in his advice or anal-ysis.
Don'tcha mean his anal cyst?
You betcha!
I haven't read the Washington Post for 6 years. Whenever the Pentagon or CIA need to spin something, you can bet the Post is the lead in.
He told us the truth while other so called journalists did not do their jobs. When did Rupert Murdoch but The Washington Post?
assholes wring their hands wondering why newspaper readership is in significant decline and papers are dropping like flies. Good luck on the heap of obscurity WAPO, you've earned it.
I just registered with Crooks and Liars after years of multiple daily visits, only to comment on this post. Firing Dan Froomkin has destroyed my view of the post. I live in the DC metroplex and I will never purchase this paper again. This is the clearest death knell to print media that I have heard.
Welcome to the C&L comments' bar. Your first drink is on me. We have adult beverages as well as others. :)
Thanks! I'll have something sour :)
People still read that irrelevant POS? I guess its long agonizing death spiral continues.
And the talking heads wonder why newspapers are going down the drain into oblivion.
As with everything else Neo-Con's will destroy the paper with their narrow minded, bakwards opinions and lies and the paper will die out. As for me I won't buy it anymore.
You can't really say the washington post is dead to me and then provide a link to it in the very next sentence.
It kinda takes something away from the piece.
To Whom It May Concern:
I have just learned that the Washington Post has terminated its relationship with "White House Watch" blogger Dan Froomkin because his column has "run its course." Frankly, I am at an utter loss as to why Mr. Froomkin's column is being shuttered while you continue to provide a forum for both the irresponsible Charles Krauthammer, the vapid David Broder, and the fact-free and serially wrong William Kristol.
As a resident of Washington, DC for a number of years, I read the Post avidly, and continued to read your website after leaving the District. Over the past decade, however, its quality has fallen considerably, and the choice to remove Dan Froomkin only confirms that this once proud paper is far too dedicated to supporting neoconservative propaganda.
The editorialists and bloggers on your staff - including Messrs. Krauthammer and Kristol - were, and are, significant and public supporters of the policies that have led this country to its current state of deeply troubled fragility. Mr. Froomkin was emphatically not, and yet for some reason, he is the one to go?
Best of luck in your continued quest to turn the Washington Post into the Washington Times. You've lost a reader.
That was succinct, polite and to the point.
What am i hearing about a protest in Aug.?
No Longer Needed. . . .
Okay Neoliberalism will save us!
etc. They can dump us at will. And the oligarchs and financial elites have skipped town with the national treasury.
We must need less and less regulation, bigger and huger tax cuts, and wilder and crazier incentives to take "risks"?
-- a self-styled "Media Analyist" who's nothing more than a paid Republican propaganist -- like his wife.
The WaPo is idiotic for canning Froomkin, and for hiring Kristol, but the Kristol error you linked to occured at the New York Times.
With most papers losing readership they are paring off the people who don't have a large following.
run its course
is up there with Natural Causes, naturally.
I stopped visiting wapo's web site months ago. I have also dropped slate and foreign policy magazine, both of which are wapo publications.
I think Paul Krugman nails the reasons for Froomkin's firing in his column today.
Did anyone else see this? Sorry if I missed it up-thread.
Look who the WaPo has picked up after the Froomkin firing. Revolting:
http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/06/19/as-pos...
We really need a better mainstream media. Why do they continue to give airtime/column inches to people who've proven themselves useless? They wonder why people don't watch or read them much any more, and then they shed one of the best analysts. Sad sad sad. I've sent my email to the obmudsperson, but if they're bringing on Wolfowitz, they won't be interested.
[TO: ombudsman@washingtonpost.com]
Hi,
Got this email address from crooksandliars.com, but this isn't an astroturf comment.
Briefly: it's disgusting what happened, and in the meantime, your paper's staff has devolved into a cesspool of mediocre and conservative voices.
So out go my WaPo bookmarks, and I look forward to reading (elsewhere) of the imminent demise of the paper as it is now configured. Bringing Froomkin back wouldn't even restore the damage. You've got Hiatt, et al, in positions clearly beyond their competency level, and just like the NYT's Howell Raines era and the aftermath, there's been a lot of money thrown at bad people.
Sorry this happened to your paper. For most of my adult life, you had my highest respect, and your credibility was such that if I ever disagreed on something, I would spend an inordinate amount of time re-examining my own position. But this holds no longer -- the WaPo's voice has diminished to a par with the Washington Times.
(And FWiW, I'm not a great Obama fan, nor do I consider my own views much different than centrist.)
John Ginnane
Wall Twp., NJ
(Andy's reply said basically that he'd gotten a lot of emails like this one.)
My response to the ombudsman:
"Terminating Dan Froomkin - Bad Move
Keeping David Broder - Bad Move
Froomkin was the one voice of your paper I listened to. I stopped reading Broder a long time ago.
When Ben Bradlee retired, you should have just closed the doors then. Bye, bye, I won't be back to reading your paper now."
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