Spitzer's Media Enablers
The fall of New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer holds many lessons, and the press will surely be examining them in coming months. But don’t expect the press corps to delve into the biggest lesson of all — its own role as his enabler.
Journalists have spent the past two days asking how a man of Mr. Spitzer’s stature would allow himself to get involved in a prostitution ring. The answer, in my mind, is clear. The former New York attorney general never believed normal rules applied to him, and his view was validated time and again by an adoring press. “You play hard, you play rough, and hopefully you don’t get caught,” said Mr. Spitzer two years ago. He never did get caught, because most reporters were his accomplices.
Journalism has many functions, but perhaps the most important is keeping tabs on public officials. That duty is even more vital concerning government positions that are subject to few other checks and balances. Chief among those is the prosecutor, who can use his awesome state power to punish, even destroy, private citizens.
Yet from the start, the press corps acted as an adjunct of Spitzer power, rather than a skeptic of it. Many journalists get into this business because they want to see wrongs righted. Mr. Spitzer portrayed himself as the moral avenger. He was the slayer of the big guy, the fat cat, the Wall Street titan — all allegedly on behalf of the little guy. The press ate it up, and came back for more.
Tags: confidential, new, york
March 16th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I don’t like microsoft but come on, apple get away with it the new ipods don’t work with all operating sytems in apples eyes.
March 16th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
“enable rival companies’ gadgets such as media players to work seamlessly with Windows personal computers “?? Ha! Microsoft can’t even get it’s own media player to work with Windows. Rival companies should use Microsoft’s code as an example of what *not* to do.
March 16th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Welcome to yesterday!
March 16th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Im not a big user of Microsoft, but this is really unfair to the company. They should not have to release information about their operating system. Just because it is the most used, and they have a monopoly does not mean that they should penalized. Tell Sansa, or Creative, or iRiver to make their own operating system if they want full compatability. Its okay for Mac to use the Halo effect to incorporate their iPod brand, but if Microsoft does it they are slammed and fined? That makes no sense. Everyone is just jealous of Microsoft’s success and want a lil bit of the pie. Call Microsoft the bully or whatever, but they have a strong business model and should not be punished for it. Maybe soon Microsoft will have to release the Halo3 source code so Sony can port it…
March 16th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
This probably should have been submitted as an article with at least a little body too it. I had to go find out what was the ‘Monopoly’ this time. First it was their web browser and instant messenger. Now it is the fucking media player? Why not sue them for including Calculator, paint, or sound recorder? I mean it must imply that because their product that come with the OS must be stopping me from searching the net or creating my own, right? No..guess not. The only reason I use WMP is to watch dark things b/c I have not found another player that easily allows me to change the brightness. However, WinAMP video, QuickTime, RealPlayer(sucks), VLC, Media Player Classic, WinDVD, PowerDVD, Divx player all work fine. What the are they talking about no competition? They let their media player suck, which fueled people to create a better product (in the base of the previous few, most of them are MUCH better). But I guess now I can sue Apple for including Safari or whatever it was they had running on that mac I used. “Microsoft has argued that the ruling will stifle its creativity and that of other successful companies by forcing them to hand innovative secrets straight to rivals. ” (from http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article2472555.ece) It is not M$’ job to let help out the developers of other companies. It is the other companies responsibility to higher qualified developers. Yes M$ has a bunch of shitty products and other ones that look good on paper, but suck when you use them. All companies/people are like that (I’ll include OSS in there as well). This is another example why lawyers need to GTFO of software since they are clueless morons.Oh yea Secret Codes….hahah the secret code to make windows work perfect with your application is ‘SAD@#$ADFd_USE_LINUX-1153432′
March 16th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I really don’t understand why people hate MS so much. Maybe I’m bias being an MS Developer but I look at them just like any other business.
March 16th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
There is a firm difference between being sued for monopolizing practices and having a good business model. A Monopoly is when you specifically design your product to be the only one that can possibly function within the market, and the consumer is forced to purchase your version for it to work. They are not talking about the Windows operating system, they are talking about allowing other software companies to develop software that will operate with Windows.If these laws didn’t exist then Microsoft could make only Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office and Microsoft Money function with their operating system. It is because Microsoft Fears these laws that they do not put these constraints on their software. They are being forced to allow competing software companies into the market. Otherwise, we will only end up with products with the Microsoft name on it, and because there is no competition, it will simply be a mediocre product because we won’t be able to go elsewhere.A company can create a product that will only work with particular systems, but they cannot create a product that companies become dependant on then shut out the competition and force those companies to purchase their own additional software. In other words, they are monopolizing certain aspects of the software market, not the operating system market.
March 16th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
This is a joke! The EU courts are basically saying that because Microsoft has an integrated Desktop search, built in audio and video players, and is unwilling to share their code with competitors, it is harming the consumers. What, are Europeans so computer illiterate that they cannot download and install other browsers, and media players? And from other articles on this topic, Microsoft was forced to release a version of Windows without the media player, but OEM’s did not buy it. Oops, guess the EU will fine them again because they were forced to release a product that had no demand.Honestly, I would love to see Microsoft pay the 613 Million in fines the EU has hit them with and then turn around and say, “By the way, we are revoking all of your software licenses for Microsoft products. You have 10 days to uninstall and find replacements. Have a nice day.” Think that would give Linux a boost?
March 17th, 2008 at 12:07 am
Yes, they can appeal to a higher court, and they most likely will, the only issue is, they have to argue that the 2nd highest court made errors, not argue the facts of the case.
March 17th, 2008 at 12:58 am
Why is everyone who is happy about this being downmodded?
March 17th, 2008 at 1:48 am
microsoft needs to be put on a leash, they should not be allowed to hold file formats for ransom in order to lock people in to using their software…
March 17th, 2008 at 2:39 am
What a bunch of BS. Microsoft is legally obligated to help their competitors?