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marfknox
SFN Die Hard
USA
3739 Posts |
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GeeMack
SFN Regular
USA
1093 Posts |
 Posted - 09/10/2005 : 19:02:19 [Permalink]
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Thanks, marfknox, for bringing those to our attention.
For several years now there's been a destructive attitude that "fair and balanced" means defending the government with at least the same zeal and vigor as criticizing it. "News" organizations like FOX and CNN even go as far as to defend the government just on the chance that someone, somewhere, might be criticizing it. But the people are put in a dangerous position when the media feels a need to defend and support the government, at least in a "free" democracy they are.
No government is perfect. Patriotism isn't about some stupid blind allegiance to Big Brother. Patriotism is about being aware, noticing the problems, and having the balls to bring those problems to the attention of the general population so they can be discussed, acted upon, and effectively resolved. The press is an absolutely critical player in the process. It is not just the right, but the responsibility of every citizen, and especially members of the media, to criticize the government. And it's not about liberal/conservative or Democrat/Republican. It's about informing the people and ultimately fixing problems.
If the only flaw with a government is a litter ordinance poorly enforced by a local park district, it's still the responsibility of the media to bring that to the attention of the people, and in turn for the people to move their concerns along to their representatives. That's the only way any bad situation will get better. Of course we know there are myriad flaws in the massive US federal government, especially now. It's the responsibility of the media to inform the public of all those problems. It's not their job to criticize some weaknesses and defend others just to maintain a position of balance.
Here's an article that talks a bit about the issue... It's Accountability Timequote:
For the first time in a long time, the mainstream media broke ranks with the spin doctors in Washington D.C., the all too real face of human disaster compelling them to sort fact from myth, truth from hype. Finally, when the American people turn on their television sets, they are watching and listening to reporters and commentators who seem shocked and alarmed by the callous attitude and cavalier behavior of those entrusted by the American people to lead and protect them.
With this newfound clarity of vision, the mainstream media is starting to focus not just on the appalling lack of response from the government, but also for the first time on what is transpiring in Iraq. The post-9/11 period of journalistic sleepwalking allowed the Bush administration to get away with outright fabrication of intelligence information used to create a case for war based on weapons of mass destruction (WMD) that had long ago disappeared from Iraq. During this period, no one in the mainstream media had the integrity or courage to stand up and ask for any proof the Bush administration could provide to back up its unsubstantiated allegations about Iraqi WMD. More than two years have passed, and the media still refers to the WMD lie as an "intelligence failure," instead of the massive fraud it really was, and is.
For several years now the media has completely wimped out. Maybe there's a turnaround on the horizon. Maybe now the press will get some gumption and we'll start to see some good changes happening. I sure hope so.
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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard
USA
3834 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2005 : 13:07:37 [Permalink]
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I thought FOX was going to go for a bit of real facts on this event but last night's programs were back to the usual:
"The Democrats are ..... [something to the effect of really reaching, blowing it big time, hurting themselves by criticizing Bush, yadda yadda yadda]"
Talking points memos being noticed by Air America and The Daily Show are being repeated on FOX. The latest is blame the local officials despite all the evidence that is a BIG lie. |
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trishran
Skeptic Friend
USA
196 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2005 : 03:42:02 [Permalink]
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The newspaper in Portland, the Oregonian, is still not getting with it - there are daily letters to the editor, and editorials by local pundits, claiming that people are being to harsh and unfair to Bush, that people wouldn't be satisfied with his performance if he did less than "rescue people from rooftops in a red cape." [that's a quote]. It's quite the jolt of "whaaa?" after seeing not only the live reporters in New Orleans [while Homeland Security and FEMA were apparently reading "My Pet Goat"], but also seeing David Brooks on MacNiel Lerher saying he was unhappy with POTUS.
I think any public official and pundit who has made a career of the political philosphy of "starve the beast" should be sent to New Orleans with a bucket and a mop. |
trish |
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