Bob Woodward Quotes

The chief danger which threatens the influence and honor of the press is the tendency of its liberty to degenerate into license.

Journalists prize independence - not teamwork.

The media has become more forceful, has begun to recognize its traditional historic role and act on it, and truth is infectious.

I think there are a lot of reasons to be critical of the media in America.

Publishing is a business, but journalism never was and is not essentially a business. Nor is it a profession.

Journalism: A profession whose business is to explain to others what it personally does not understand.

I don't want the news to be patriotic. I don't want to see flags on the lapels of the anchors. I don't want any of that.

I'm not seeing tough questions asked on American television. I'm not seeing those correspondents that would question those in power. It's like a club. We are not asking the tough questions.

I absolutely reject that idea that the press is liberal and what it does is liberal. In my view, it's like accusing a doctor of malpractice or a lawyer of malfeasance.

I respect very much the role of the media in our society; I think they can be very, very helpful. They serve as a very useful check, sort of a watchdog over the actions of the government, and I respect that.

I cover media people the way they cover politicians.

The press is a watchdog. Not an attack dog. Not a lapdog. A watchdog. Now, a watchdog can't be right all the time. He doesn't bark only when he sees or smells something that's dangerous. A good watchdog barks at things that are suspicious.

You turn on the TV, and you see very bland interviews. Journalists in the United States are very cozy with power, very close to those in power.

The newspapers turn a blind eye to how they get their material as long as they have great photographs.

As a journalist, one tends to think there's nothing off limits.

When a reporter sits down at the typewriter, he's nobody's friend.

I happen to believe that any legitimate news organization in the world would do that interview. And if the United States is going to be a proponent of a free press, it has to walk the walk.

Past occurrences have generally shown that there hasn’t been satisfaction from politicians in the manner they were covered [by the press.]

The fault I find with most American newspapers is not the absence of dissent. it is the absence of news.

Avoid both infatuation with or resentment of the press.

The job of media is the accountability of government.

I think that there are some in the media who have an overinflated view of their mission.

We need ethical journalism. There is also capacity limitations in journalism.

I'm not an expert on journalistic standards. I want to be clear on that.

I have no interest in interfering or involving myself in journalistic integrity or process.