Reply #12: "it's not up to them to create the news" [View All]

[welshTerrier2]

well, that's the crux of it right there ...

first of all, it's not "creating the news" to write about the out of control defense budget (i'll stick to this example for now) ... it certainly is fair to argue that when there's a big story, like, for example, when Congress passes a large defense appropriation, it gets coverage ... no disagreement there ...

but millions were spent 10 days ago and 9 days ago and 8 days ago and so on ... what are the requirements of good journalism? should the story only receive coverage in response to an annual budget cycle? doesn't that sort of suggest that journalists have the attention span of gnats?

do authors and professors and left-wingers speak out on this issue almost everyday? is what they are saying getting coverage? do they get to appear on MTP or are their little speeches covered in the NY Times? is the issue given the kind of prominence it deserves given that it is strangling our country and that it is draining precious resources away from so many other programs?

i understand the point you're making ... i suppose some might be comforted by the idea of a non-agenda driven press merely calling the balls and strikes after the pitcher throws the ball ... i see the role of the media very differently ... i think a healthier state of affairs would include a vibrant press that aggressively pursues the diversity of views in the society and thoroughly analyzes them on a regular basis ... i see a health media as the voice of ALL the people ... and i see a healthy media as one that regularly challenges the status quo and exposes the society to alternatives ...

in the more passive view, which i think is far more prominent, the media do little more than give voice to those in power ... whether ideological or otherwise, today's MSM becomes a tool for the rich and powerful and opposing opinions are not very welcomed ... perhaps it is laziness or perhaps it is some view of "journalistic ethics" (we just "report" the news), but the result is that the "fourth estate" has abdicated its responsibilities to act as a check and balance on the ruling classes ... instead, it has become their press agents ...