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Then, when it was clear that veterans were being screened out, a wonderful thing happened. Journos who were not the targets of the screening signalled for the veterans to pass on their questions. One by one, three of them rose to ask these questions.

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Rivals all, they had enough respect for the profession to refuse conditions that aimed to block the flow of information. They knew hard questions needed to be asked, and helped break down the blockade to this.

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12:24 AM · May 12, 2022Twitter for iPhone

In the beat, there is always a fear of repercussions for displeasing the powers that be. Nobody wants to be shut out. Editors also brace for calls that say, so and so reporter isn’t welcome; replace him or her. (I remember three calls)

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It’s never a picnic. But if enough journalists stand up and insist on doing their duty, and helping each other with that duty — to hold leaders into account, to ask questions that need asking — it will be harder for those in power sustain that blockade.

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Lian did what every journalist should do, try to pierce through motherhood statements and get to the HOW’s of an issue, to provide the context challenges facing a leader.

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The behavior of Marcos’ spokesman fits a pattern. They do not want awkward questions. They screened their CDO presscon to sideline veteran journalists because they did not want repeat questions — meaning no digging up contradictions, just accept what they say.

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