Monday, June 06, 2005

1102 There’s a new term in town--Exempt Media

It’s probably been invented by Captain Ed, because most blogs link back to him eventually when using the term “exempt media.” I think it means the mainstream media or MSM. What exactly they are exempt from (standards? good writing? handsome incomes? ethics? supervision?) I’m not sure. I did find a tax code that refers to exempt media, but that was about restaurant menu boards which for tax purposes were not to be considered in the same class as newspapers, TV, graphic advertising, etc. I suppose it is possible that the term derived from the suggestion that the MSM really weren’t communicating at all. Both the “define:” function in Google and the Wikipedia told me there was nothing on this term. But here are some results from my search:

“The Exempt Media is dying for one reason. They abandoned journalism in order to advance the Gramscian Marxist agenda. Nobody believes their claims of impartiality any more. The only effect of their impartiality pose is that they refrain from serving up the kind of "blue meat" that Kos, Atrios and Willis regurgitate on a daily basis.” Buzz Machine

Jack Shafer pens an interesting look at the similarities and differences between blogs and the Exempt Media, and postulates that parity may be coming between the two. In his opinion, the Schiavo memo shows that both sides can get stories equally incorrect, and that both sides should have the latitude to do so -- as long as corrections are published in a quick manner: Captain’s Quarters

First it was MSM, then it became CM (Corporate Media), courtesy of CJR Daily (Thank you ... thank you very much ... but please hold the applause until the waiters clear the tables of the rock-hard dinner rolls ...) And now it's EM (Exempt Media), courtesy of Captain Ed? Exempt from what, exactly? Apparently not criticism, thank God. CJR Daily

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