As a young J-school student in the early 70s, I was learning the craft just as we were coming out of the Nixon era. Days when true investigative reporting made a difference in this country. And while I never wanted to become a Woodward or Bernstein, I did ascribe to what they stood for -- fair, objective coverage of the story, no matter what the subject.
Then, journalists were considered the fourth estate -- a watch dog to keep our government honest. We had the Canons of Journalism, a code of conduct designed to place reporters above reproach, more honest perhaps than some of those on which they reported. We were taught to perform research to support our stories -- to not take the information at face value. We even had to pass (God forbid) an ETHICS course in order to earn a degree in the very thing that, to many, was as natural as breathing.
What the hell has happened?
Journalism has proven McLuhan's theory that the medium is the message. Today, it's no longer journalism; it's media in an extremely distorted sense. And there is NO fourth estate because media is entertainment and entertainment equals dollars. Ethics and objectivity are replaced by the corporate edict -- make money or else. And quickly, the journalist's integrity becomes compromised by the bottom line.
While our political leaders have evolved into greedy, lying bastards, we cannot place all of the blame for what's wrong in our country on them. No, my fellow journalists have played a part and must shoulder a great deal of the blame.
- For failing to hold the politicians accountable for their actions.
- For failing to ask the right questions, the tough questions, all of the time -- whether it's career expedient or not.
- For confusing news with entertainment.
- For failing to get the facts straight.
- For failing to remain objective.
- For becoming part of the PR spin machine, covering whoever has the bully pulpit at the moment in the manner of that individual's choosing.
- For putting their own celebrity before the truth.
- For allowing the likes of Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, even Rachel Maddow and Ed Shultz, and many others to pass off commentary as news.
- For failing to remember what they should have learned as lowly J-school students.
. . . before the medium became the message.
1 comment:
Ok, I like Rachel and Ed. That said, they both sometimes spin more than they report. Maybe most of the time. But when I have done my own research on what they say, I find no fault with their basic truths. Not so much when I check out Glenn and Rush. But you are right. News seems to have become entertainment. They spin, they ask weak questions and then accept the 'non-answers' that all politicians are throwing out there. As I write this, I am listening to tonights Republican comedy show. All the non answers make me sick. So how do we fix this? I still keep telling you to run for office. At least I can trust you..... even if you used to be a journalist!!!!!
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