Mr. Baker,
Your
conversation with Mr. Todd on “Meet the Press” disappointed me. During the
exchange, when urged by Mr. Todd to clarify your plans on how to deal with
President Elect Trump’s propensity for prevarication, you spoke of a plan to
avoid using the term “lie” as, “It Implies a deliberate attempt to mislead.” Is
that not what the President Elect seeks to do? His actions heretofore indicate
a calculated attempt to shape the narrative in ways that suit his goals and desires
and bear only a passing relation to reality. For you, as the editor in chief of
“The Wall Street Journal” arguably one of the most prestigious publications in
our nation, to embrace such an anemic standard calls into question the veracity
and strength of your leadership and quality of your publication.
One
of the functions of journalism is to hold leaders accountable. When a highly
respected newspaper, such as yours, publicly admits to unwillingness to fulfill
that function you embolden prominent officials, damaging our trust in you and
the democratic process. You also take a step away from serving as a trusted
news source, moving toward serving a propaganda organ of the powerful and
well-heeled. In the modern media market, replete with all manner of outlets
that serve only to strengthen one party or the other, we desperately need
stringent journalism that informs the public while speaking truth to power.
I
understand that the President Elect, with his penchant for saying things off
the cuff and responding poorly when confronted with the facts, provides a
challenging dilemma for the media community; however, you must rise to the
occasion. If you wish to retain your status as a premiere news organization,
you must not lower your standards in response to this new paradigm. Your
reputation as a journalist, and perhaps the security of the republic, depend
upon your diligence to accurate journalism and devotion to truth and accuracy.
I encourage you to speak truth to power, to speak of things as they are, and
remain bold in your chosen profession.
Most Respectfully,
Matthew E. Robinson
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Ret.
Lubbock, Texas
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