In the wake of NBC’s Ronna McDaniel debacle, “mainstream” media reporters have begun to argue that partisan pundits aren’t useful any more. We can’t ignore that this is a very useful spin if you want to prevent any more paid Republican contributors in this election cycle.
In The New York Times, reporter James Poniewozik set the tone:
Can you really rely on well-connected partisans to give you unvarnished analysis about their once and perhaps future colleagues? Would viewers be better served by news networks’ seeking out a wide range of voices than hearing predictable takes from regular panelists? Isn’t it better to leave the reputation-laundering to Dancing With the Stars?
That show had a link to Poniewozik insisting Trump press secretary Sean Spicer shouldn’t be allowed to “tap dance out of infamy.”
NPR media reporter David Folkenflik noted…
