Intellectual Cleansing - Media Lens, 7 October 2008

Jonathan Cook writes of newspaper work: “In other words, success at the newspaper was gauged in terms of obedience to figures of authority, and the ability not to alienate powerful groups within the community. Ambitious journalists learnt to whom they must turn for a comment or a quote, and where ‘suitable’ stories could be found. It was a skill that presumably stayed with them for the rest of their careers. ... Those who struggled to cope with these strictures were soon found out. They either failed their probationary periods and were forced to move on, or stayed on in the lowliest positions where they could do little harm.” Read more at his web site about a story seldom told by reporters "Intellectual Cleansing"