https://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/05/24/mainstream-journalism-as-its-practiced/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 22:51:44 -0400<![CDATA[Mainstream media journalism is more mysterious than blogs &#8211; and consequently more opaque. And by feigning objectivity, the mainstream is often more potent at propaganda &#8211; or at least tries to be. An interesting example is Wednesday&#8217;s Washington Post article Iran Requests Direct Talks on Nuclear Program. It doesn&#8217;t take a great deconstructionist to understand that the authors &#8211; Karl Vick and Dafna Linzer &#8211; are writing with a specific intent: to promote US direct negotiation with Iran. Numerous quotes, anonymous (como siempre) and attributed, are sprinkled throughout the article to create that effect while delicately preserving the illusion of objectivity. Unfortunately, they give the game away by ending the article thusly: &#8220;We have not had any relations for so many years, and Iran was always accused of being unwilling to talk,&#8221; Masood Mohammadi, 23, said as he left Friday prayers last week. &#8220;Now Iran has taken the first step, and I hope the U.S. president replies in kind.&#8221;]]>Wed, 24 May 2006 21:55:17 -0400<![CDATA[Roger L. Simon]]>https://pjmedia.com/roger-l-simon/2006/05/24/mainstream-journalism-as-its-practiced-n212297