The Atlantic

Letters: Standing Up for Truth

Readers discuss Chuck Todd’s argument that it’s time for the press to “start fighting back.”
Source: Fred Prouser / Reuters

It’s Time for the Press to Stop Complaining—And to Start Fighting Back

Earlier this month, Chuck Todd, an Atlantic contributing editor and the moderator of Meet the Press, described how a nearly 50-year campaign of vilification has left many Americans distrustful of the media. His essay urged journalists—and readers—to reach for facts instead of talking points.


Alas, Chuck Todd’s lengthy view of the “problem” with journalism gives mere lip service to the real experiences of those of us who have watched the “unforced errors” of mainstream media for 30 years. Mr. Todd’s explanation of our feelings is that we’ve been manipulated by slick-talking hucksters who exploited our stupidity and naïveté. (By the way,

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