Where did good journalism go? I remember when I was younger, I would watch NBC Nightly News, Dateline NBC, 20/20 (ABC) and similar investigative reporting shows. You know, the long boring shows that went deeper in the story than just the headline.
Today, I balance my efforts in watching news networks that dedicate themselves to reporting the news. But they don’t. Everyone has a point of view they’re pushing. They interview biased guests or setup loaded interviews where the host is going to win the debate. They insert opinion overtly while they break news and it’s disgusting.
No, I’m not only talking about FOX News. All the cable news networks are guilty and they must hold themselves to a higher level. Eric Burns wrote about the latest crimes in Journalism committed by FOX News on the Huffington Post. Again, FOX news is the most egregious example, but all the prominent news networks put their spin on the news. And, no, it’s not all liberal, either.
How do we deal with this?
Don’t watch them. Don’t give them the attention, the ratings, advertising views or anything. TV broadcast media is on it’s way out after the newspapers, in favor of having news break on the Web.Even then, the news on the Web is becoming slanted or politically motivated — but we each individually control that — as we tell others to check out a news story or whatnot.
There’s nothing wrong with opinions. Editorial is helpful, in fact, it strengthens the views of the news organization as they continue to publish the news. I find Glenn Beck to be entertaining, in the same way that you look at someone get their groin kicked on YouTube. I find Bill O’Reilly to be informative, as an conservative independent as someone who doesn’t go completely nuts on the network and contains himself to his values. Those programs (and maybe even the morning shows), are the only places for editorial. Instead, make every piece of news an “Alert” or some other crisis that stirs things up.
Can we ask our sources of news to be more fair? Can we ask ourselves to expect more?
I don’t know, the American media is letting me down.
Disclosure: I do not consider myself a journalist, but I have profound respect for those who are.
