Yet, they also see their work as somehow above other democratic institutions and their intentions as more pure. Reeb finishes with detailed studies of how Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton viewed political journalism. But he goes beyond a merely theoretical treatment. These are strong words in an era when so many in the media lament the lack of public spiritedness and cynicism about government. It lays at the feet of the journalistic community and its overarching ideas, the blame for much of the disconnect citizens feel toward debate in the public square.
Reform begins, then, with a reflection upon our republican principles.
Too many journalists are defending an idea that sanctions and protects their institutional strength without understanding the other important institutions that safeguard freedom. Such narcissism comes with a cost. As American sentiment for government drops, the media often fail to report the lack of trust in them as an institution. Reeb's answer of honest partisanship is an interesting one. He wants to resurrect the energy and dynamism that propelled debate, attracted readers and alerted citizens to American constitutional government.