 "Photo: Jessica Talley")
Editor's Note: The article incorrectly identified Carl Bernstein. The Washington Post won a Pulitzer Prize for the Watergate reporting by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. The Texan regrets the error.
Author and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Carl Bernstein criticized the media as well as the politicians they cover for leaving people uninformed on Thursday night at the LBJ Auditorium.
"The greatest threat to truth today may well be from my profession," Bernstein said.
Bernstein said today's journalists often are not aggressive enough and are willing to accept news that will amuse rather than inform.
"To serve viewers and readers, we give what will sale and boost ratings," he said.
Bernstein also stressed the need for the media "to serve the public good by telling the best obtainable truth," particularly in dealing with politicians' abuses of power.
One particular example he gave was the current war in Iraq.
"Look at the war coverage," Bernstein said. "How much have you seen about what's really going on on the battlegrounds?"
Bernstein called the media's unquestioning support of the war "a triumph of idiot culture," because most people still aren't truly informed. He attributed this misinformation to poor media coverage.
"Deal with facts first, then have the debate," Bernstein said. "Iraq is a misrepresentation of facts."
The real role of journalists is to stop this, he said.
"I believe it's the role of journalists to challenge people and not amuse them," Bernstein said.
Bernstein, who, along with Bob Woodward, uncovered Nixon's abuses of power in the 1973 Watergate Scandal, called the current administration "more hostile of free inquiry than any other."
"This administration is the most secretive I've ever seen," he said.
Bernstein said that the lack of understanding and disregard for civil liberties is unlike anything he has seen before.
"This presidency is a radical departure from any of its predecessors," he said.
Bernstein was among seven choices voted on by a committee of Delta Gamma sorority officers and alumnae as well as UT faculty and administrators.
Delta Gamma values and ethics director Erin Bonnet said they wanted a speaker that would not only target the University but also impact the entire community.
"We found Bernstein would be the most agreeable and interesting lecturer," Bonnet said.
As he spoke to a packed auditorium, he left listeners with one message.
"I come here arguing and hoping that you will demand the best obtainable version of the truth and to serve the public good."
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