Sunday, March 15, 2009
As expected, they did miss it
They being the many elements of the country's news media and it being the point of Jon Stewart's smackdown of CNBC by way of Jim Cramer. Daniel Sinker, posting on the Huffington Post explains it in very clear terms and has an idea for the failing newspapers.
When we can't compete with a comic in terms of speaking truth to power, then it's more clear than ever that journalism in the US has lost its way. It comes as no surprise then when, as newspapers crumble around the country, a report like the one released by the Pew Research Center this week says that only 33% of people would miss their local newspaper "a lot." When you lead with a story about an interview that happened on a comedy show--and it's the very same story that almost everyone else is leading with as well--what's to miss?A very doable proposition, if it wouldn't offend the corporate owners.
What's to miss--the refrain is always repeated--is the investigative reporting that helps to keep our leaders honest, our water clean, our businesses pure. What's to miss is people asking fearless questions to those that need them asked. What's to miss is the deep pockets that can fund a reporter to dig and dig and dig until she's able to uncover some fragile truth. And yes, that stuff is vital to the functioning of a democracy. It also, let's speak the truth here, doesn't happen very often.
Traditional news organizations have nothing to lose right now. Why not take a gamble at the one thing they haven't tried: being fearless. Stewart would probably appreciate the company.
Comments:
<< Home
Count me in the category of people who will be glad to see the demise of our current state of "journalism."
What's to miss? Nothing. They aren't keeping our leaders honest, they aren't asking fearless questions, they don't dig and dig and dig.
The "reporters" we have are fucking pathetic.
Goodbye and good luck to them.
So let's all quit pretending that we have a free press so we can move along and create a new system to do those things that need to be done.
What's to miss? Nothing. They aren't keeping our leaders honest, they aren't asking fearless questions, they don't dig and dig and dig.
The "reporters" we have are fucking pathetic.
Goodbye and good luck to them.
So let's all quit pretending that we have a free press so we can move along and create a new system to do those things that need to be done.
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
Post a Comment