“How is it we have so much information, but know so little?”—Noam Chomsky.
By George Wilson, contributing editor | The national television newscasts on the three major networks seem to have abandoned their responsibilities. A long internal tug of war at these networks between the reporters, combined with others dedicated to serious news, and the producers, who tended to see television as a visual, constantly changing presentation, a show. The producers have won, because it helps revenue.
I have a suggestion for news organizations and others who purport to report the news. These people are mouthpieces for shills, campaign directors, “spokespeople” and other lobbyists, who are paid to promote political candidates, parties and ideologies. I suggest that they go back to reporting facts. Discuss issues with experts and observers who are as objective as possible, and not beholden to any party or candidate for their income.
The media has allowed itself to be manipulated by these parties, candidates, and ideologies as agents of spin, while forgetting to do its duty to report the facts.
The six basic questions (who, what, where, when, how, and why) are far too often buried in an avalanche of junk in news stories, TV reports, and unedited social media. It’s no wonder that the public is fooled by fake news; it’s hard enough to find real news in so-called “legitimate” news sources.
It is not about tweets or Trump or hacking, nor is it about nostalgia for a simpler age. It is about adding value and balance and a forum for fact-based debate. The fourth estate has failed us, but that is not news.
Let’s be clear. It is tough to run a democracy even when people are operating off the same facts. When the facts do not matter, it is impossible.
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