Simon's Lament

A great piece - here - by The Wire creator David Simon in the Washington Post and flagged up by Anthea Pitt via Twitter.

It wouldn't be the first time a Scottish police force has tried to get away with "half-truths, obfuscations and apparent deceit". Interesting point made by Simon that bloggers and "citizen journalists" will never be the real deal when it comes to digging out stories that people don't want told.

But sadly this piece also underlines how traditional newspapers have been screwed, with staff and resources cut to the bone, which allows a relentless creep in which public accountability goes out the window. Journos no longer have the time to ask awkward questions and get in the faces of those who are trying to play clever with information which is in the public interest. And as for getting out of the newsroom and building up real on-the-ground contacts who will give you the inside track - it's pretty much a thing of the past.

It's happened in Baltimore and it's heading this way too.