Amy Goodman hears speculative questions, not real questions.

Question: Did Tim Russert’s death mark a turning point in network myopia?

Amy Goodman: Overall, I think the media has to be much tougher on those in power. His network, as well as the others, it is really a bully pulpit, and I mean they bully people, not those in power. Then the tough questions are, “Are you gonna run for president?” or “When are you gonna announce?” or “Who’s gonna be your vice presidential running mate?” All the speculative stuff. But when it comes down to what they represent and who they’re affecting, and not them being asked these questions but people themselves, breaking the sound barrier of the media, bringing in the people who are the targets of these policies.

That’s the really most egregious… I would say, it’s who the media leaves out, which is the majority of people. They send the talk shows that are sponsored by the weapon manufactures, by the food processors, you know. We’re in a global fuel crisis, oil companies making more money than they’ve ever made in their history. They’re bringing us the Sunday talk shows that set the agenda in this country.

The weapons manufacturers, the Boeings, the Exxon Mobils, they’re the ones that are defining the debate. I’m not saying that they won’t ask questions of them, but it’s a matter of you ask the occasional tough question or you… The continual drum beat, that’s what doesn’t happen when you have a media brought to us by the very corporations that profit off of people’s pain.

Recorded on: August 11, 2008