The ‘first lady of the press’ reflects on current events in the news
Jen Noel
Staff Reporter
For decades, she has been recognized as the front row reporter of the White House Press Corps who never backs down. Presidents since John F. Kennedy have dreaded her questions and even moved her to the back of the pressroom in hopes of avoiding her.
She is a journalist, a watchdog, and some may even say an antagonist. For whatever she is known, Helen Thomas continues to tout the importance of her duty, and all journalists’ duty, to report the facts to the American public.
During a phone interview on March 11, Thomas revisited many of the messages she delivered during an April 12, 2007 lecture to the McDaniel College community. She talked about press conferences with President Barrack Obama, the future of print media and the need for the media to remain vigilant even though vigilance often comes with more hurdles and at more expense.
First Impressions of President Barack Obama
On February 9, President Obama held his first live press conference, and Thomas was stationed in her usual front line position.
“Alright, Helen. This is my inaugural moment here,” Obama joked. “I’m really excited.”
Thomas returned the President’s comment with no banter; immediately, she put him in the hot seat: “Mr. President, do you think that Pakistan are maintaining the safe havens in Afghanistan for these so-called terrorists,” asked Thomas. “And also, do you know of any country in the Middle East that has nuclear weapons?”
In retrospect, and a few press conferences later, Thomas said she approves of the tenth President she has covered with the Corps, but she’s hesitant about the newly-inaugurated administration’s declared focus on transparency.
“They are trying to be transparent, but are quickly going back to the old ways of State Secret Acts and trying to hold important details,” said Thomas.
With the economy on a continual roller coaster, Americans look to the President for guidance and his plans to turn the financial crisis around. Thomas recognizes the challenges that Obama is facing and feels he is making progress.
“I think he is retaining his popularity; he is very sincere and is on the right track in trying to turn our economy around and restore jobs to all the unemployed,” stated Thomas.
Although Thomas appreciates President Obama’s ease and control when speaking to the press, she is critical of his stance on several issues concerning decisions about the troops in Iraq as well as Afghanistan.
On Thomas’ April 12 address to the college community, she openly criticized the media for not being vigilant when it came to asking the president the difficult questions and reporting the hard news to the public.
With the ushering in of a new administration, change has also occurred in the media from Thomas’ veteran standpoint.
“The media is trying to very hard to be more vigilant,” commented Thomas. “I’ll see if they continue on the same path especially with the building of troops in Afghanistan and ask the tough questions about the Middle East. I want to see if this is a short-lived burst for them.”
Mirroring the stance that many Americans take concerning troops remaining in Iraq, Thomas emphasized “if the US leaves 50,000 troops in Iraq, the country is still in Iraq ? it’s time to move on.” Thomas rebuffed Obama for his unwillingness to “defy the gods and not worry about making enemies.”
“He is more comfortable than Bush, but he [Obama] dances on the head of a pin like all the others,” said Thomas. “He dives and ducks on questions concerning National Security measures; I haven’t seen too many strong convictions from him.”
Although she feels the White House Press Corp has rallied its efforts to ask the questions that need to be asked of the President, she still is determined there is room for change within the Corps.
“We can’t filibuster, we are the only transmission for the President’s views. He has the power over us.” Thomas stressed. “Keep his feet to the fire always.”
The Future of Newspapers in America
Within the past ten years, the newspaper industry (print and digital) has experienced a serious decline in readership. Major cities are dropping their dailies because of lack of advertising and circulation; small town papers are downsizing staffs, outsourcing production to save money and often cutting back to weekly publication, but owners remain far from optimistic about their livelihood.
Thomas considers newspapers’ contribution to American society and democracy “invaluable.” The Internet and computers won’t save the industry, she said.
“It would be a tragedy for this country not to have newspapers. The five W’s have to be reported. I know newspapers are headed down hill, but you can’t replace them,” Thomas added.
“We don’t have a real Democracy without newspapers,” she insisted. “We inform people of everything that is happening ? you can’t have a Democracy without an informed people.”
Future journalists should know that they “could be part of the greatest profession in the world,” Thomas explained. “Journalism is an
education, you are always learning. We need journalists to tell the whole story. Who else will?”
As for Thomas’ future, she stated firmly, “I am going to die with my boots on.”