Today while visiting some mainstream media sites, such as CNN and MSNBC (which I hardly do anymore), I decided I was so sick of seeing stories about the Jackson verdict and the trial that I had to tell these people how disappointed I was with their coverage.
So, I typed out an email that I think properly conveyed my disgust, and I sent it. I thought I'd provide a copy of the email for everyone to read, in hopes that many others might send something like this to these media outlets as well.
The actual email is below the fold...
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm disappointed by your 24 hour coverage of the Michael Jackson verdict. I know you probably get feedback about your choice of stories, and each letter or e-mail probably says pretty close to the same thing, but I have talked to so many people, and most seem to agree: the amount of attention this case has gotten is disgusting.
Democracy relies upon civic engagement, and for American citizens to be engaged, they need information -- information that is relevant to the political process. I'm sure journalism classes have taught you as much. My point is that when we are fed information that is wholly irrelevant in comparison to other stories in the news (the Downing Street Memo, the inability of twenty senators to support an anti-lynching resolution), we do not get the information, the knowledge we need to effectively participate in our political discourse, and thus, we become even more alienated from the political process.
You may click the delete button on your e-mail program (heck, you may have already done it, and I am just wasting time typing these words), but if and when you do, I want to make sure there is a feeling of guilt that accompanies the click of your mouse. Why? Because when you delete this email without responding to it, you're letting every other American down, including yourself, by actively denying Americans their right to be informed.
Thank you,