2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumVague Email Controversy Brings Out the Worst in TV News Media
Analysis by Sonia Saraiya
TV Critic for Variety
Vague Email Controversy Brings Out the Worst in TV News Media (Analysis)
If you have stood within earshot of a television, peeked at a social media stream, or scanned the front page of a newspaper, you may have noticed that emails are once again the subject of commentator frenzy. And yet there is little consensus on what, in fact, the news actually is.
Yesterday, in an alarmingly vague letter to Congress, FBI director James Comey wrote that the investigation into whether or not Democratic nominee Clinton had endangered national security by using a private email server was once again, possibly, relevant. Reporting since then has indicated that the FBI investigation into disgraced politician Anthony Weiner, who may have sexted a 15-year-old, surfaced emails that were stored on the server probably because Weiners now-estranged wife, Huma Abedin, is a top Clinton aide, and the two shared devices. Even in Comeys initial letter, the possible involvement of Hillary Clinton is either tangential or speculative the emails may have been on this controversial private server, but they may also have already been in the possession of the FBI, albeit on a different device. They may implicate Clinton or Weiner; they may also do no such thing. It is explicitly unknown, and Comey confirmed that in a leaked internal memo.
That has not stopped media organizations, in the full flush of pre-election coverage, to make this some kind of October surprise for the Clinton campaign, seizing on it as a turning point in the narrative of election 2016. And due to the confluence of Comeys inept attempt at transparency and the medias appetite for inflated controversy, Comeys letter has had the effect of lighter fluid on the finally cooling embers of a house fire. Its frustrating, too, that this revelation was announced on a Friday. The last business day of the week is frequently one to drop news you hope the media will ignore. In the closing weeks of an election cycle, perhaps it matters less but Comey still dropped a bomb the day before the weekend, when federal offices are closed, sources are at home with their families, and reporting, for overworked journalists, is especially hard to do. (And in perhaps the most ironic twist, the candidate herself was reportedly on a plane when the news broke without wifi.)
In lieu of actual reportage, cable news which always needs material to fill its 24-hour mandate has had to fall back on hours on end of pure speculation. Comey said, in his internal memo, that he was trying to be careful in how he disseminated this information on the eve of an acrimonious election. But he does not seem to have understood that in this era of constant news he created a perfect storm for confusion, misinformation, and in some sectors unhinged conspiracy. There is an appalling disconnect on cable news between what has actually been said and what is being implied or perceived, and it is doubling back on itself and expanding. As CNN airs an entire Trump rally in which he conflates Clintons corruption, Weiners sexting, and aide Huma Abedins religion as part of the same web of purported lies adding, wildly, that he hopes Abedin was not promised immunity MSNBC features panicked comments from DNC chair Donna Brazile and handwringing speculation over how the campaign is coping. Its difficult to even isolate individual instances from the major networks that are indicative of how distorted cable news perspective is, because it is as much about tone and coverage time as it is about content. How many multi-head panels can the major networks field, most of whom are circling the same two or three questions of trustworthiness and judgment, before it begins to feel like freaking out has become the primary pastime of the news media?
It is not quite fair to fully blame the media, or even Comey who is months into an unprecedented public-facing approach to the Clinton investigation. This is an especially draining election, where knowing what is right to do has become more difficult than ever. Racial, gender, and class divides have riven the electorate, and every new revelation in this campaign seems to strike another one of these fraught boundaries. But 10 days away from the resolution of this election, one way or another, the news media is demonstrating serious weakness with reporting uncertainty and ambiguity. At the risk of sounding too naïve about the role of truth in journalism, it would be appreciated if clarity were prized over controversy. But then again, this election has been defined by the breakdown of our best intentions in the Byzantine political-media complex, where time must be filled, takes must be filed, and we as a nation have struggled to wholly apprehend what we have become.
http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/hillary-clinton-email-tv-news-media-fbi-1201904368/
winetourdriver
(196 posts)The national media has clearly demonstrated it's colors during this election cycle, and they aren't red, white, and blue.
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)Not the green party.
Manufactured 'controversy' for moolah.
Create anxiety so advertisers can try & sell you products that will allegedly relieve it.
Rocknrule
(5,697 posts)still_one
(92,317 posts)mislead and distort
They both encouraged wild speculation, and that is a violation of everything those institutions are supposed to stand for
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)but far too many are totally too damn DUH and brainwashed! In short, there is serious SH** occurring!
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)back in the days when William Randolph Hearst could start a war to drum up newspaper sales. Or when women & black people were considered 'uppity' for daring to work or vote.
I think the job of developing critical thinking is up to each one of us. I don't think 'the media' does it for you.
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)how so many can't see through Trump and how they allow themselves to be used.
TrishaJ
(798 posts)Seems now the FBI is compromised, which is a dangerous possibility.
onecaliberal
(32,878 posts)lovemydog
(11,833 posts)is that this exists in the online world of echo chambers as well.
Critical thinking is valuable. And sadly lacking in both corporate 'news' media and social media.
Among many self-described republicans, democrats, independents and apolitical folks, in my opinion.
Madam45for2923
(7,178 posts)lovemydog
(11,833 posts)but at the same time, fascinating in seeing how much angst can be spun.
Now buy these pills, buy a new car, drink a lot of new or old beer! Buy the stuff the advertisers are selling!
Madam45for2923
(7,178 posts)That should tell everyone something!
Blue Idaho
(5,052 posts)I mean really...
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)don't seem to know crap about what is occurring.
Madam45for2923
(7,178 posts)RKP5637
(67,112 posts)like she was an enemy agent. I am so tired of this email crap. Is that all the matters in the US? Apparently. It makes me ponder what is the future for the US, the citizens are so easily controlled.
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)have always been pretty easily controlled via mass media.
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)RKP5637
(67,112 posts)can't penetrate their thick heads.
Madam45for2923
(7,178 posts)Gonna listen to this sleazy pack! Heck even Fox's Ailes and Le Page are in that bunch! Let's not forget David Duke!
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)Television 'news' doesn't help develop or strengthen critical thought.
Watching too much television and thinking it's 'news' will turn your brain into mush. Or pumpkin pie.
colsohlibgal
(5,275 posts)Where was the big to do with, again, the 22 million "accidentally" erased Bush Cheney emails? That was the equivalent of my dog ate my homework but it was quickly buried by the MSM. Just like where the Bush family nest egg really came from.
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)Last edited Mon Oct 31, 2016, 04:43 AM - Edit history (1)
'I am sick of these damn emails.'
I wish the media would focus more on Hillary's policy proposals and Trumps non-proposals. Hillary is out there every day, looking past it. Trump is reveling in this nonsense.
But cable 'news' has gotta sell advertising. And they do it by creating panic & then selling products designed to 'make you feel better.'
That's my take.
Cha
(297,447 posts)Which means they do that a whole hellava lot.
They never stop.
The way I got it was Comey got it to the repubs first and Jason Chaffetz ran with "..The FBI REOPENED the Hillary email Investigation.." and the M$M flew with it.
Not ******* bothering to do any real investigation.
That's right.. I hadn't thought of this aspect.. I'm sure Comey did..
"It is not quite fair to fully blame the media, or even Comey.." I think it is beyond FAIR.
Mahalo for this, lovemydog!
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)I enjoy considering a lot of different scenarios. I think it's possible to consider that Comey was in a difficult position as he may have felt he'd get heat if said something and heat if he didn't say something.
What bugs me about the 24 / 7 'news' cycle is that they rarely explain there's nothing there. They seem to rile people up a lot about stuff like this that really isn't barely even news.
I'm glad Hillary is looking past it, in that she's emphasizing her policies in a positive manner. I think that's what most people care about. How those policies will affect them. All this stuff chattering stuff can get really corrosive, to the point where we can forget that it's about all of us, not about inside the beltway stuff.
Cha
(297,447 posts)affected a Presidential election.
Not saying anything would have been protocol.. and so what he had to take shite later from the rabid alt-right.
I dunno.. I just know it changed the subject fast from all of drumpf's worst week ever. I'm sick of the m$m covering for him and holding Hillary to an exponentially higher standard.
Of course, Hillary is handling it smoothly.. that's why she's going to be great President. I love the 2nd page of Harry's letter to Comey..
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512561515
Clintons fearlessness is a beacon for her supporters
http://shareblue.com/clintons-fearlessness-is-a-beacon-for-her-supporters/
Thank you, lovemydog~
sarae
(3,284 posts)Comey knew damn well what would happen. And this is the SECOND time he broke protocol to give Republicans the advantage.
I wish people in the media would stop excusing Comey. He's a snake.
And Jason Chaffetz... I won't even say what I think about him, except that I wouldn't be at all unhappy to learn that his career was completely destroyed after this.
hi Cha!
Cha
(297,447 posts)all they do. They frickin gobbled up all the PINOCHIOS! GREEDY FASCISTS!
sarae~
radius777
(3,635 posts)and the general public for the most part doesn't care about policy or any substantive discussion, only controversy and entertainment.
This is exactly how the Iraq War was sold, as essentially an exciting TV show that viewers could tune into.
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)Very good points. Hope you enjoy a good day!
Sancho
(9,070 posts)CNN had some expert lawyers talking about Hatch Act which seems to be more rational...but the whole thing is crazy.
At least the Reid letter and Cummings are doing a good job.
Let's GOTV...to hell with cable news.
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)Great motto for Halloween and every day until all the votes are counted!
Vote early. Vote today if you can. Vote vote vote!
Have a great day Sancho.