The Bad Joke that is Journalism

.....Was watching a round table news show on PBS last night. The panel were discussing the current unrest in Libya. On my way to the bathroom, I heard the host of the panel ask the members what the public thought the U.S. should be doing about Libya. All four panel members began their answers with the same words; "I think they(the public) feel..." This struck me. It struck me, because once upon a time, that panel would have known exactly what we the people thought. I am no expert on journalism. I cannot drop a lot of names or give examples of famous journalistic exploits. Hell these days I get most of my real news just talking to folks walking around my town and surprisingly, reading comments here. But I have been a consumer of all types of journalism for over 30 years and I have had occasion to notice some things. Some things I find disturbing......

I am not sure what journalist means to most folks. To me it has always meant a regular person like myself with the ability to put the publics feelings in to words. A journalist to my mind, was the publics un-elected representative. Journalism was the thing that expressed our thoughts and feelings on issues. Used to be, you could be new in a town and read the local paper and get a good feel for that community. News publications, magazines, major papers provided a connection for Americans across the country. Journalism was the voice of the American people. That is no longer the case. At some point journalists quit reporting on how the people felt or the stories behind the events in their lives. At some point journalists decided they would start telling people how they should feel about those events. And short of accomplishing that, they would selectively report on that which would feed already existing divisions among the people. In other words, journalists would help create the news by fueling the embers of disagreement and disenfranchisement into the fires of outrage and action. And now, in this new century, journalism has become one vast propaganda machine.

Today's journalism is akin to team sports. First you pick your team, right or left. Then pick your issue, politics for example. Then go out and find events that support your team. Notice I say events and not stories. The stories behind the events are no longer very important. A quick outline of the story is preferable because the event, the train wreck, in other words is far more profitable. Profitable in respect to the last major part of the new journalism.....Keeping score. Hits on your site, how many tweets, subscriptions, ratings, and the all important fan mail. The truth, facts are now malleable instruments in describing the event. They are carefully and sparingly used to make sure and maintain that support for your team. Another vital component of today's journalism is maintaining a certain level of emotion in your teams fans. Careful use of language, omissions, additions, orchestrated mistakes, quotes never meant for public consumption, trickery, hysterical headlines, all tools to increase the response and keep up a certain level of emotional involvement. And with any luck for the journalist create another event for coverage. IMSHOthere are no reporters any more. These people today are nothing more than professional eye witnesses. Unless they can make the big leagues.....Television.

Television journalists today are members of the country club crowd. Where once they were looked upon with disdain and distrust, they are now welcomed with open arms. They are considered to be among the intellectual elite. They no longer soil themselves by mingling with the general public. Instead they rely upon polls, statistics, and their own inflated opinions to form the basis for the "news" they report. They ride in limos, eat at exclusive restaurants, and hide behind body guards and public relations specialists. They are now full fledged members of the millionaires group they once looked down upon. No small wonder they are unsure of what Americans may think. That can happen when you have a total disconnect with the public you once served.

I wrote this piece last night/this morning for several reasons, not the least of which was the sooo out of touch panel on PBS last night. But also because I have been watching the news. More importantly I have been paying attention to the reporting of the news. I have witnessed first hands the use of those tools I mentioned, and how in using them you can change the tone of a story and the "fans" reactions to same 180 degrees. I know when I am being played, and we are all being played by the media and journalism. Being played by those that run them and own them as well. I despise being played, more importantly I despise when someone believes that they can. But the clincher to write this came from last nights broadcast of my local "ambulance news." They had two major stories working. One was the most devastating earthquake in Japan's history. The other was the labor(excuse while attempt to quell my laughter)negotiations in the NFL. Guess which story they ran the longest and also led the broadcast with.............Type Your Article Here ...