Chris Stigall
| Aug 15, 2019
The New York Times just published what’s known as an “on background” conversation between one of their business reporters, James B. Stewart, and the now dead billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
“On background” is journalism speak for an interview subject leaking information to a media outlet and in exchange remaining anonymous in the story. You the viewer/reader won’t ever know the source of the information.
In 2019, it’s the media standard when you’re talking about Donald Trump. “Sources say, close associate says, a White House insider tells us, a close friend of the President says, a former employee says…” That’s “on background.”
Personally, I think it’s shoddy and disgusting to build supposed “news” stories around people who aren’t willing to identify themselves when discussing political matters. Of course there are times anonymity is critical.............
It’s classic, actually. A famous criminal befriends a beat reporter and the reporter agonizes over the human frailty of the subject they’re interviewing. They strike up a long, strained friendship as the reporter tries to separate the misdeeds of the felon he’s befriended from the personal bond they share. I think I’ve seen at least six movies like it..............
It’s reported George Stephanopoulos and Katie Couric were just two of many well-connected people who dined at Epstein’s home well after his child sex conviction.............
Epstein was a sick but unashamed, unrepentant, and unapologetic figure until his death in a jail cell last week. Powerful media people knew it and hobnobbed with him anyway..........To Read More...
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