Chron: All of METRO's problems are fixed. Rah rah!
AS A PRO-ESTABLISHMENT, PRO-METRO CHEERLEADER, the Houston Chronicle metro desk doesn't aggresively promote or deliver watchdog reporting in the public interest on a regular basis. Too often, the newspaper is simply pulled along by events; sometimes, it even pushes back against those who actually do watchdog reporting in the public interest.
This is the sort of rah-rah "journalism" that the newspaper and certain reporters much prefer to do (and, as we've said before, that they do pretty well). In fact, it wouldn't surprise if the "bones" of this story were laid out some time ago, with only a few quotes needed to fill space in the print newspaper when the time was right (so to speak).
In any case, it's good to know that the new leadership has fixed all the problems at METRO after just a few weeks on the job. That was certainly a fast learning curve! Obviously, there won't be any need for anything but a return to METRO cheerleading now from the Chron -- certainly not skeptical/watchdog reporting in the public interest -- until the next change of mayoral administration! Rah rah!
To be completely serious: It's good if the new METRO leadership recognizes some of the old problems at the agency, and will strive to promote transparency and accountability (to taxpayers and to customers). But an engaged, watchdog press is an important component of ensuring transparent, accountable, efficient performance from government. METRO has a large staff to handle PR. Most of the public, on the other hand, relies upon a small "staff" of watchdog journalists to help keep an eye out for their interests.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/17/10 12:29 PM | Print |
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