I found this article today in the Baltimore Chronicle and Sentinal link and I was struck by the honest assessment of where I feel our media and country stands today. It noted the following:
Today's major media journalism is biased, irresponsible, sensationalist reporting that distorts, exaggerates or misstates the truth. It's misinformation or agitprop disinformation masquerading as fact to boost circulation, readership, viewers, or listeners, and on vital issues lies about or suppresses uncomfortable truths to provide unqualified support for state and/or corporate interests - to the detriment of the greater good that's always sacrificed for profits and imperial aims.
In the most recent Pew Poll dated 9/13/09 link it is pretty obvious that most of us feel that the over the last 20+ years the press is trusted less and less.
Just 29% of Americans say that news organizations generally get the facts straight, while 63% say that news stories are often inaccurate. In the initial survey in this series about the news media’s performance in 1985, 55% said news stories were accurate while 34% said they were inaccurate.
This is not rocket science. I am not saying anything that most people judging by the polls aren't aware. However, we need to stop looking at the shiny object in our paths like the Glen Becks and Rush Limbaughs and start demanding that the FCC get enough teeth to do it's job. When 6 companies control more than 90% of TV, Print, and News Magazines it's no question that some of the biggest stories that effect the average citizen's life doesn't get the coverage it deserves. This answers the question as to why we don't have Universal Healthcare yet when more than 60% of the public is in favor or why we even went to war in Iraq let alone are still in 2 wars 8 years later.
We've all told ourselves that journalism has become infotaiment because of the ad revenue dollars it generates. I no longer believe that I now believe that that is just the icing on the cake. I don't think it is a coincidence that the MSM missed the most important stories in the last decade. For instance, why did ALL the jounalists (for the most part) not ask the tough questions in the run up to the War in Iraq? Why did almost NO ONE see the collapsing of our economic structure? Why are we (MSM) not asking the tough questions regarding the financial bailout? What are the real statistics of the unemployed/underemployed? Why has wealth for the middle class not really increased in almost 20 years? Could it be because those same 6 companies have personal stakes in the public not knowing this information. Again, is that why we get the shiny objects like Beck, Hannity, and Dobbs??
I would like to know how is it even legal that corporations who own defense contract companies, security companies.,weapons companies etc... how is it legal that they should also own national news organizations and TV stations etc.. Why is this not a conflict of interests involving national security, etc.? Does this not make our national TV news in this instance a subtle advertising campaign to sell the products of war by using news to increase the demand for such products by suggesting there is an increased need (in this dark and sinister terroristic world)for our own threatened security? Not to single out just one organization but GE who owns MSNBC/NBC...from 2000 to 2007, that company won 281 contracts from the Defense Department worth a total of $8.8 billion. Think they may have a vested interested in keeping war profiteering going? Honest questions that a supposed "free press" would ask I'm guessing. If we just peruse long enough we'll find all kinds of lobbyist and connections to the big 6 that directly contradict the interests of the average American.
The purpose of the "news" and the 9 guiding principles of journalism are:
- An Obligation to the Truth
- Loyalty to it's Citizens
- Discipline of verification
- Maintain an independence from whom they cover
- An independent Monitor of Power
- Provide a forum for criticism and compromise
- Make the significant interesting and relevant
- Information must be comprehensive and proportional
- The freedom to exercise their personal conscience
Without them we risk a truly free and open society.
If you feel as I do please go, investigate, and hopefully support
freepress.net
UPDATE: Politico is reporting that an insider from the Washington Post is confirming that they are out to destroy President Barack Obama (no secret there)link
"The Post's decision to publish the racist cartoon was part of a concerted effort at the Company to undermine President Obama's authority and attack the first African-American President in this country's history."