Dan Rather Calls For Commission On Media Reform

Aspen Daily News:

Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather called on President Barack Obama to form a White House commission to help save the press Tuesday night in an impassioned speech at the Aspen Institute.

"I personally encourage the president to establish a White House commission on public media," the legendary newsman said.

Read the whole story: Aspen Daily News

Comments

[springsm]

I there was some media reform (I am starting to hate that word) and it could stick with all the crying over first amendment rights, etc...maybe it would slow down the vitolic crap on every cable station. The idea of social civility is past and needs to be re instated. The rudeness, lies, gossip, mean and hateful rhetoric on some of these stations and programs is maddening but it is also very sad. I will lift up Rachel tho...she is liberal and frank but she is not rude. She does have her facts and lets her dissenters rant away without out shouting them. AND I don't think she lies or sends out messages that are totally mean and wrong. Even Blitzer makes up stuff and tries for the gossip level. We do need some pulling back in the media when people like dobbs, imus, Oreilly, hannity and beck get to spew at will. And probably Keith O. too. Lots could be done...I want real news..and then just call the rest day time soaps.

[beckpod1]

We need to educate the people first...media is leading the public by the nose...and it should be the other way around. Educated people ask questions...and they don't want sound bite answers.
They want sources...as many facts as possible.
But until these professionals can find a way to do this and make money...it's FOX vs MSNBC vs CNN.
FOX NEWS can't even proof read a map...they had Iraq named Egypt...what happened to Iraq?

[bymyinitials]

I agree with Mr. Rather, however I also blame the American people who want to hear only one side of the news and not the whole story, and the networks only want ratings and profits. All the networks and cable news outlets work only on the fringe of the truth most of the time, wether its to the right or left.
I miss Cronkite, Huntley, Brinkley, Murrow, Reynolds, and at one time Rivera (untill he sold out along with Chris Wallace) but love Mike Wallce.

[springsm]

I agree...as long as the people need this struff for their entertainment and so called education, this will continue. How do you deprogram people who think Rush is their god.

[oakley9]

The only reform needed is for the media to get some cojones and stop listening to the corporations telling them what to say and when to say it. We no longer get the news. Its infotainment and or PR.

[blueskybigstar]

The way to keep up the independence of the news media is to subsidize it. Increase the definitions and penalties for misinformation, pro pay gain duh, libel, and defamation.

[RickCoMatic]

I'd like to have a weekly Television Show hosted by one of the Supreme Court Justices who bring-in the Nations "Journalists" to face a Grand Jury about what they said or wrote that week.
The Jury gets to award or sentence the Journalist according to Standards of Ethics.
Deliberate liars could be sentenced to being removed from employment in Mass Communications for life.
Broadcasting cleverly edited interview or public speaking segments disguised as quoting the President, but actually in False Light , ... and doing so, ... intentionally would be an act of Treason and the perpetrator forced to apologize to the American People before being deported to China.

[Michael Shanley]

i like the concept of your idea...

[ohiomark]

What's next, a media bailout?

Dan, you know the media is supposed to separate from government. MSNBC will be shocked to hear that, but it's true.

If the news media is failing, it's because it sucks and nobody believes their propaganda.

[SlimPickins79]

read a little next time, your just embarrassing yourself. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairness_doctrine

[jemiltd]

No need for a commission. All that needs to happen is that the FCC amend its rules so that news networks and news outlets are REQUIRED to use only facts and truth when they are broadcasting actual news AND that any non-news shows, commentaries, i.e., Beck, Hannity, Dobbs, etc. would have to be verbally and titled as non-news shows. According to the Florida Supreme Court, the FCC rules do not require news networks and outlets to tell the truth, thus Fox News could continue to lie by omission of information as it suited the tales it told. Thus they regularly omit information and cut and paste whatever they want the "news" to say. Change the rules and maybe we will take a few steps in the right direction.

[amst]

It would be nice to see media reform, alothough with the Right Wingnuts in control, I seriously doubt it'll happen. Rather did NOT lose credibilty with me. Everyone knows Bush was AWOL from the NG. The Right are good at twisting and the did so here as the did throughout his entire Presidency while refusing to see how he was F**King up the country. Thank God he's gone.

Btw, did you guys read the comments by the readers under the article (click the link). Must be a Conservative paper. All the comments I read were the Rightwing crybabies trashing and burning everything about Rather.

[ohiomark]

Yeah, if you can't trust forged douments, what can you trust?

[digeridoo2]

Wait a minute. Are you saying we won't get media reform because "Right Wingnuts" are in control? Last time I checked the Democrats routed them in Congress, both in 06 and 08, and with Obama. Progressives can do whatever they want...

[digeridoo2]

That's adorable. We should have the state regulate media so that it can be free. Weeee!

[SlimPickins79]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairness_doctrine

[gorideabike]

This is a good idea. Look for the right fringers to scream like pigsl. Let's see government, President Obama, independent press, government jobs. Yup. All there. And in fact journalists should be on the endangered species list. But it is doubtful that even the idea Dan presented wiill be allowed a hearing.
Ther are no journalists allowed in big media. Only makeup wearers and news readers. And the usual bunch of lying screamers. Most of whom make megabucks every year as personalities, but certainly not as journalists.

[SharpDressedMan]

Here are some suggestions.

- Ban corporate ownership of news organizations.
- Entice more non-profit news outlets.
- Force networks and other outlets to give equal time to candidates.
- Breakup large news organizations. No more oligopolies.
- Less commentary and more hard news. I can get free opinions anywhere.
- Eliminate multi-million dollar salaries for pretty boy and girl news readers.

[d49]

sounds good to me.

[Whitley2009]

Just reinstate the FAIRNESS DOCTRINE.

[SharpDressedMan]

Most people say it's too late to restore the Fairness Doctrine. I am not so sure but we need something to eliminate or reduce the extreme bias on radio, tv, print and the blogosphere.

[digeridoo2]

Yeah, because they've been so effective at keep Republicans in power...hey, wait a minute....

[marka]

This is the best idea that I've heard in a while. News should be news and not infotainment. Only PBS presents news anymore.

[dadw5boys]

FIGHT THE GOOD RIGHT DAN !!!!!

Maybe Dan Rather can reverse the damage done by the Food Loin lawsuit to the National Media's ability to collect information.

We support you Dan !!!!

[kendraro]

Put back the Fairness Doctrine