What House of Cards gets exactly right about political journalism
The shady coziness of reporters and politicians is all too real
There is no one who loves politics as much as I do. And yet, somehow I didn't start watching the Netflix series House of Cards until more than two years after the first episode came out.
I intended to watch. Really. But frankly, I was put off by the severe criticism from many political journalists — people whose opinions I really respect — who thought the show was unrealistic. Much of their disapproval was about the way reporters are portrayed in the show.
A quick sampling:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Chris Cillizza of The Washington Post: "Let's start with the fact that the way Zoe, a young reporter, begins her source building with Underwood is by going to his house late one night to show him a picture of him looking at her butt on the way into an event. That seems both far-fetched and, frankly, offensive to female reporters everywhere."
Maureen Ryan of The Huffington Post: "Just once, for the love of God, I'd like someone who knows how print and digital operations actually work to write scenes that make them seem interesting and fresh, and that don't involve female co-workers who are unable to resist petty catfights."
Allysa Rosenberg of Slate: "I know the show has no interest in getting this profession right."
After reading these reviews, I had little interest in dedicating the 13 hours or so it would take to watch the first season. After all, who has that kind of time to waste?
However, on a recent eight-hour flight home from Europe, I finally succumbed. I binge-watched five episodes in a row. And guess what? I really enjoyed the show, and discovered that the criticism was unfair. The series actually shines a much-needed bright light on some of the big problems with political journalism.
House of Cards doesn't really portray anyone — politicians, lobbyists, reporters — in a particularly good light. The main character, Frank Underwood (played by Kevin Spacey), isn't just a slimy and unethical politician. He's actually evil.
But by taking each of the characters in the show to their extremes, House of Cards does a pretty good job of highlighting what's wrong with much of our political culture. And that includes political journalism.
Most reporters don't sleep with politicians to get their stories as they do in House of Cards. Nonetheless, many political reporters are way too close to the people they are supposed to be covering. And that often impedes their judgment in ways that are harmful to their profession.
Most real-world journalists might not be as unethical as they are in House of Cards, but there are many who are more interested in ambition and power than they are in getting to the truth of a story.
This point was driven home by the recent White House Correspondents' Dinner, where journalists, politicians, and celebrities — including some of the actors in House of Cards itself — mingled while listening to jokes about themselves. It's a wildly popular evening in Washington, D.C., and many make a weekend of it with pre-parties, after-parties, and brunches the next morning.
But how many journalists are willing to write a critical story about a congressman or senator after a weekend of socializing together?
The dinner has become a symbol of all that is wrong with the intersection of politics and journalism. Politicians and reporters may not sleep together after the dinner — well, not all of them at least — but many are way too cozy with each other to do their jobs well.
That's the point that I think House of Cards is trying to make about political journalism. And it's absolutely right.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Taegan D. Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political websites. He also runs Wonk Wire and the Political Dictionary. Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and COO of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. senator and governor. Goddard is also co-author of You Won — Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country, including The Washington Post, USA Today, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Christian Science Monitor. Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.
-
Is the Gaza war tearing U.S. campuses apart?
Today's Big Question Protests at Columbia University, other institutions, pit free speech against student safety
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
DOJ settles with Nassar victims for $138M
Speed Read The settlement includes 139 sexual abuse victims of the former USA Gymnastics doctor
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
14 recent scientific breakthroughs
In Depth From photos of the infant universe to an energy advancement that could save the planet
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published