Dan Rather Addresses Investigative Journos

Romenesko has posted Dan Rather’s long keynote address at the 2005 Investigative Reporters and Editors conference in Denver. Some of the highlights:

> “Do we believe that government officials on every level — local, state, and federal, but most especially in Washington (and, again, no matter who happens to occupy the seats of power there) — possess and use enormous power to manipulate the press and deceive the public?”

> “Do we believe that too many of us have become, at best, too fearful, hesitant and reluctant…and, at worst, frankly, spineless and gutless?”

> “Do we understand that a war rages daily in American journalism between sensationalism and seriousness…and that sensationalism is winning…that sensation and shouting are prized over explanation and investigation?”

> “Do we understand that every inch we yield on this battlefield makes the serious ground DOUBLY hard to regain — because serious reporting can only be appreciated by an audience that has been educated to hold and VALUE serious concerns?”

> Also: You can watch the entire speech online here. Rather “choked up several times as he addressed” the journalists, a local TV station’s report says.