Monday, October 12, 2009
New and Depressing Age for Journalism
I miss the Walter Cronkite-type of newscast. It speaks to a simpler time. There were clearly delineated lines between black and white, right and wrong. There was more optimism; a belief that American virtues of hard work, persistence, and determination could solve any problem. The perceived need for 24 hour news has bred the type of "talking heads" programs where opposing characters shout at each other for an hour. No ground is gained, no consensus formed, no compromise reached, and it appears that any sense of respect for others is too much to ask for. And that is the way it is.
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3 comments:
Well put. I think you've hit the nail on the head about the surprising decline of respect. Everyone has an opinion, however untenable and wholly unsubstantiated, and no one wants to listen. As you pointed out, this is especially true of the media. Somehow, the availability of more information has made us less informed.
What do you propose we do about this?
To be honest, I don't see the trend stopping any time soon. If anything, we are all getting even more connected to constant streams of data and "news." On an individual level, more reading and less TV or surface-level news is always a good decision.
The Paradox of choice. news at your finger tips whether you want it or not is like anything else. More choices does not make us more happy.
I also really detest the unofficial style of dress, speech and general mannerisms adopted by that whole group of talented puppets we choose to call "The Media". It irritates me. Lets all put on cammies and helo insert into a forest on the side of a mountain and get Battle Royal back to the real basics on each other. People can cease and desist with the nonsense and posturing and really learn something about themselves.
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