Rumsfeld’s publicists are working overtime

This weekend, we’ll see two “documentaries” on cable news about our secretary of defense—one on CNN (Rumsfeld: Man of War) and one on Fox (Why He Fights).

The specials will air at the same time: this Saturday, September 30, at 8 p.m.

For a contrast, visit Frontline’s site, where you can view their two-year-old documentary and read supplementary materials.

I talk a good game about the power of infotainment and pop/tabloid culture, because I believe it has an unsurpassed power to get information out into the culture, information we need. But when it comes to analysis of current events, there is no better, more serious journalism to be found on TV than on Frontline. I often disagree with its slant, but its information-gathering is unsurpassed.

TiVo it, watch it, and bookmark the site, which is heavy with supplementary materials, including full-length interviews, reports, links, and so forth. Many of the old programs are available for viewing online.