A Bit Sad... but Does it Happen Here?

Plenty of people will tell you that Irish political journalists are (mainly) a gaggle of narcissistic, truth-twisting, greasy-pole-climbing clowns. But talk about American journalism and, well, most scribblers (including myself) go all idealistic.


However, there's been a bit of a controversy over an exclusive and secretive Google group for American media types: Journolist. As Slate blogger Micky Kaus describes it, the group has about 300 members, almost all ;iberal. Predictably, a discussion from Journolist has gotten out and is reprinted in full on Kaus' blog. Some cringe-inducing highlights (typos and mispellings in original):


Jonathan Chait, a senior editor of The new Republic:
Is Michelle Cottle on this list? She's criticized less frequently
here, and I don't think this sort of thing interests her, but her
presence would definitely improve the list. There seems to be a junior
high quality to this list with regard to TNR, where if you're not on
it you get sniped at constantly, but if you are on it you're mostly
safe.

Jesse Singal, associate editor of CampusProgress.org:
Everyone I know who likes [Keith] Olbermann also acknowledge that he is egomaniacal
and has a penchant for hysterical drama. The main difference, which is
glaringly left out by anyone who conflates him with the Savages and
O'Reillys of the world, is that Olbermann doesn't tend to, you know, lie
about stuff regularly.

Eric Alterman, contributor to The Nation, Professor of English at Brooklyn College in City University of New York, and Professor of Journalism at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism:
Quit lying about my record, Jonathan Chait.
Or at least check the archives before descinding into Kirchickism.
What I posted about Eve was an article I PUBLISHED. It could hardly
have been going behind her back to PUBLISH an article, could it?

And againt from the esteemed professor:
For the record boss man, I'm done. I merely responded to a series of
false accusations made about me by Mr. Chait. You'll note that I
manfully (and womanfully) resisted the urge to join in the Marty
bashing until lied about above...


It goes on. Nothing scandalous, but it's a bit sad to read supposedly intelligent journalists descend to the level of 12-year-olds b*tching away in their clubhouse. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if a similarly childish internet group has been set up here in Ireland - a pint to the first person who'll send me a transcript of a conversation fromit.