After prolonged period of press-bashing, a more constructive form of media criticism is now flourishing

Over the past several years, and maybe even longer, it seems as if every day brings a new round of attacks on the American press. Some of these attacks come under the guise of criticism: accusations of being “fake news”; arguments that journalists are biased. But some more seriously threaten journalists themselves. Recently, though, another kind of press criticism has come to prominence after a period of marginalization. This brand of press criticism takes a free and independent press as a necessity for life in a democratic society. Instead of seeking to delegitimize the press, these critics are simultaneously explaining the workings of the press to the public and holding it accountable in its role as the public’s representative and watchdog. ... Read more»

Nixon's nemesis: Political prankster Dick Tuck dead at 94

Dick Nixon, you can finally rest easy. You don't have Dick Tuck to kick you around anymore. The Tucson resident, who was one of the top political legends of the 20th century, died Monday evening.... Read more»1

Commentary

Farewell, my Washington Post

People everywhere who are interested in the news about the news were startled and saddened to learn that The Washington Post had been sold — but none more than those who had once worked for that storied paper, which even The New York Times called a “crown jewel” in the newspaper trade. ... Read more»

Woodward, Bernstein: Nixon 'far worse' than thought

President Richard "Nixon was far worse than we thought,” investigative reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward argue in a new piece in The Washington Post, their most extensive collaboration in decades.... Read more»

Presidential election

The return of CREEP?

With 300-plus super PACs and counting, it would be easy to miss CREEP. But last Thursday, a new super PAC ingeniously named the Committee for the Re-Election of the President registered with the Federal Election Commission. ... Read more»

Analysis

How the Nixon pardon strained a presidential friendship

In 1974, Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon shocked a country divided over Nixon's exit amid the ongoing Watergate scandal. It also tested a friendship of some 25 years — with Ford's press secretary Jerald terHorst, who resigned minutes before the pardon.... Read more»

Comic:

World's dumbest extortionist hits on Letterman

After years of pointing out the trials and tribulations of others, David Letterman's got a bit of a problem himself... Read more»