Politics and journalism

I was approached by the Field Director for the campaign of a local state representative. They want me to write articles "responding to things [the opponent] has done or said."

I know about and respect the line between journalism and politics, and I've already pretty much decided to turn down the offer. My question: Is that the type of job that once you take, you can't go back into journalism? How much, if any, back and forth goes on in the media world today?

Any further comments on that type of work is appreciated as well.

 

I've always thought you couldn't go back.
But so many people have at this point that I'm beginning to think it's a matter of personal conscience. If you don;t feel you can come back, you probably can't.

 

Bill Safire used to write speeches for Nixon. The line has been crossed before and will be crossed again.

 

You could always get a job working for Fox News or the Washington Times.

 

But Bill Safire then took a job as a columnist, not just an average gotta-be-objective bylined reporter.

 

Or CNN (right, Paul Begala?) or the New York Times.

 

Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad idea. I wouldn't do it. Matter of fact, if a guy asked me to do that, I would be deeply offended. People do it more and more, but that certainly doesn't make it right. And it feeds into bad impressions, that assholes with biases against the media exploit. So by doing that, you're making other people's jobs even harder.

 

as people said, there are definitely examples of this happening. but i think the begalas and safires and stephanopolous' (not sure if he started as a journalist but he's one now, isn't he?) are the exceptions.

i think it's a whole different ballgame if you go work for the local state rep's campaign and then want to get back into journalism compared with working at the white house.