The GetReligion blog, which I’ve often read and cited here, has decided to close down in February, on the 20th anniversary of its startup.
Mattingly says that their original purpose is now futile. GetReligion has always been written FOR journalists, not really FOR ordinary readers. Their commenting policy made the distinction clear. If you had something to say from the viewpoint of a journalist, go ahead. If not, don’t bother.
At this point there aren’t enough reporters specializing in religion to be worth writing FOR them.
Mattingly spends a lot of time on the alleged loss of independence in the media. Taibbi has been telling the same story. I suppose the internal dialog has changed, but the reality and the external appearance are constant. Newspapers have ALWAYS been partisan. Before 1940 they were openly and proudly branded with party or ethnic or religious labels. After WW2 they pretended to be objective, perhaps because broadcasters, firmly censored into objectivity by the Fairness Doctrine, were taking some of their readers. But the reality never changed, and after the FD was repealed in the ’80s, broadcasters and newspapers resumed proud and open partisan branding. There’s nothing wrong with branding as long as you’re honest about it.
Polistra's Mill 