Revelation correction #1: Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, not Lithuania. (Brought to you as a public service by the WikiLeaks truth squad...)

Patrick Long

Doh! Thanks for the correction. While visiting the Estonian pavilion, I drank a few glasses of Tallinn, a tasty alcoholic beverage that goes down too easily, and makes everything look like... Lithuania.

I'm curious, Knute... who picked up the tab for your trips to Shanghai?

San Marino will no doubt attempt extradition for suggesting they are small, Fremont will be unhappy being mistaken for San Marino ... nice to have known you Knute ... send postcards.

Bluelight: I took two trips, the first paid for by me; the second hosted by the Bureau of International Expositions in Paris.

And why would the Bureau of International Expositions in Paris pay your way to Shanghai? And where do they get their money?

Background on the BIE can be found at their website:
http://www.bie-paris.org/site/en.html

They are supported by dues of member states (some 150+ countries; the USA is not currently a member).

Summits, Conferences and Forums are often held in connection with world's fairs, such as this year's summit in Shanghai, and the BIE invites guests who are interested in expos, including diplomats, academics and journalists.

And - as a journalist - do you then write in furtherance of your benefactor's agenda? In exchange for the gifts they have bestowed upon you?

And by the way, Knute, I'm "interested in expos". Next time you talk to the Bureau of International Expositions in Paris can you see if they'll extend the same "invitation" to me?

BlueLight - I'm sure that if the BIE is looking for an expert in reactionary food fights you'll be at the top of their list.

From your fingers to God's ears, chaz! You think they would let me give a presentation on Journalism Ethics?

God stopped listening to me a long time ago, no matter what I threw.

If it was your intention to question the authors 'journalistic ethics' you could do it directly, and back it up with facts, rather than rely on transparent insinuation.

By the way, I hear Faux News is looking to hire ...

Ah, the Fox News stratagem. Straight from the Party Playbook.

I did question the author's journalistic ethics, Chaz.

He hasn't answered me.

BTW.. I hear NPR is looking to hire, too. They're trying to fill Juan William's spot.

We are completely satisfied with Knute Berger's disclosure here and elsewhere of how his trips were conducted. Indeed, we are glad that readers have the benefit of his incisive writings and the information to put into whatever context they may wise.

Beyond that, as an editor, it is a pleasure to present such well-informed, adult commentary, rather than bland journalism where disentanglement can sometimes become an excuse for involvement in the larger community and world. Knute went and talked to a group dedicated to building connections around the world? Great, in my view. He's one of the world's experts on international expositions.

But perhaps someone wants to complain that he is consorting with a group is headquartered in, is it France? Fine. He has provided the information that facilitates that, too.

No, Joe, it is not that he is consorting with a group that is headquartered in, is it, France. It is that he is being gifted by an organization that he is, then, writing about/for. Your paper (what should we call it?) publishes a steady stream of articles advocating governmental policies and taxations. Your readers should know whether these articles come from a fourth-estate minded press that is serving the citizens or from a bought-out propagandist that is serving those who will pay for his next vacation.

and, understand, I am not singling out Knute, personally. I notice Publicola seems to be a mouthpiece for Sightline Institute, recently, and is actively working to further that organization's agenda. The people, having their old press utterly fail them, now seem to be having their "new media" fail them, too.

Meet the new boss...

I am a freelance writer; Crosscut requires that we disclose any potential conflicts, but encourages us to write about our areas of interest and expertise. I indicated in my story about my fall trip to Shanghai that I was a guest of the BIE (they covered airfare and lodging) for the summit. On both trips, I went as a private citizen, no press credentials. However, it was clear the BIE asked me because I am one of the few writers who has written about expos on a consistent basis over the years. It was a great opportunity to see a modern expo operation from the inside. They've had absolutely no say or influence over what I write, pro or con, about anything. I am, however, fascinated by world's fairs, and have been since I attended Century 21 in 1962, and will continue to attend and write about them.

And I will - and I hope my fellow citizens will also - continue to scrutinize those serving our fourth-estate. I appreciate your willingness to discuss the issue, Knute (and Joe). Too often (in my experience), when faced with uncomfortable questions the professional press avoids rather than engages. You get props for - at least - not doing that. Can you answer a question for me? It would really be helpful to get an "insider's" take on this as we try to understand the new media world.

Do you see yourself as a traditional fourth-estate watchdog? Or do you see yourself more as an advocate for a specific governmental agenda?

And one last question, Knute: You are a freelance writer. I've read Crosscut's "about" section. They pay up to $350 for a story. The Seattle Post Globe recently was taking donations to fund an investigative report into something or other. It made me wonder... do you take requests? If I pay Crosscut's $350 fee, can I request a subject for an article?