Goldman Sachs has virtual monopoly on media--Taibbi, Rolling Stone

Taibbi, Rolling Stone: "I’m aware that some people feel that it’s a journalist’s responsibility to “give both sides of the story” and be “even-handed” and “objective.” A person who believes that will naturally find serious flaws with any article like the one I wrote about Goldman (Sachs). I personally don’t subscribe to that point of view. My feeling is that

• companies like Goldman Sachs have a virtual monopoly on
  
• mainstream-news public relations;

for every one reporter like me, or like far more knowledgeable critics like Tyler Durden,

• there are a thousand hacks out there willing to pimp Goldman’s viewpoint on things in the front pages

• and ledes of the major news organizations.

And there are probably another thousand poor working stiffs who are

• nudged into pushing the Goldman party line by their
  
• editors and superiors

(how many political reporters with no experience reporting on financial issues have swallowed whole the news cliche about Goldman being the “smart guys” on Wall Street? A lot, for sure).

• Goldman has its alumni pushing its views
  

• from the pulpit of the U.S. Treasury,
  

• the NYSE,
  

• the World Bank,
  

and numerous other important posts; it also has former players

• fronting major TV shows.
  

• They have the ear of the president if they want it.
  

Given all of this, I personally think it’s absurd to talk about the need for “balance” in every single magazine and news article.

• I understand that some people feel differently, but that’s my take on things." 6/30/09, "On Giving Goldman a Chance," by Matt Taibbi, Rolling Stone