Stonewalled

My Fight for Truth Against the Forces of Obstruction, Intimidation, and Harassment in Obama's Washington

De: Sharyl Attkisson

Narrado por: Laural Merlington

CBS reporter Sharyl Attkisson was the only mainstream journalist willing to dig deep into Obama Administration scandals like Benghazi, Fast and Furious, and the targeting of Tea Party groups by the IRS. Her liberal colleagues increasingly shunned her. Then she discovered that someone was using sophisticated spyware to monitor her computer and tap her phones.

Americans today are at the mercy of powerful figures in business and government who are virtually unaccountable. The Obama Administration in particular has broken new ground in its monitoring of journalists, intimidation and harassment of opposition groups, and surveillance of private citizens.

Sharyl Attkisson has been an journalist for more than thirty years. During that time she has exposed scandals and covered controversies under both Republican and Democratic administrations. She has also seen the opponents of transparency go to ever greater lengths to discourage and obstruct legitimate reporting.

Attkisson herself has been subjected to “opposition research” efforts and spin campaigns. These tactics increased their intensity as she relentlessly pursued stories that the Obama Administration dismissed. Stonewalled is the story of how her news reports were met with a barrage of PR warfare tactics, including online criticism, as well as emails and phone calls up the network chain of command in an effort to intimidate and discourage the next story. In Stonewalled, Attkisson recounts her personal tale, setting it against the larger story of the decline.

So detailed

As an average consumer of news, I had no idea of the research and patience that an investigative reporter like Sharyl had to go through. And makes me wonder all the more about the stories that were squelched and why.

Suspicion from the public, confirmed by an investigative reporter. Thanks!!!

There are so many things that happen in our government and all of the "checks and balances „ put in place (whistleblowers protection, freedom of speech, FOIA etc) aren’t anymore. The genie is out of the bag. And, sadly, the administrators of our news agencies are bought, paid for and being the „good little watch dogs“ for the government, not the people. Thanks for sharing your "adventures“ Ms Atkinson!

This is Journalism!!

For the better part of 20 years, I have refused to watch the news or read a newspaper - either right or left leaning. This is because I realized that there was no news, just opinion. I suppose this is what happens when there is a 24-hour news cycle and it has to be filled. I knew that cycle wouldn't be filled with important and well researched information that was useful for the public.

But now I see that there was some great journalism still taking place.

Sharyl Attkisson tells a story that is hard to believe. Frankly, I don't want to believe it. I don't want to believe that our government works against the people of the USA for our "safety" or for our "good." I didn't want to find out that my government was spying on its people. And I don't want to think ill of our elected leaders. So listening to this book was hard and it was frustrating.

Although most of the events relayed in this book coincided with President Obama's time in office, I don't think that this was just an Obama-era practice. Attkisson gives a detailed look into what happens when you start looking into the shenanigans of the rich and powerful - the character assassinations, the electronic intrusion, and people who should have your back turning their back on you.

She shows that corporate news isn't about what's relevant, it's about what is politically expedient. What will ruffle the right feathers or what will ruffle the wrong feathers. It's both disappointing and disheartening. So thank goodness for people like Attkisson and the rise of some independent media.

This book is highly recommended for anyone who wants to look behind the curtain or pierce the veil. Well written and highly interesting.

Corrupt government

Excellent work and well documented corruption at levels of government. Great reporting by excellent journalist.