Same Old, Same Old ABC

Let's not forget that this is the same ABC that welcomes Cindy McCain to The View, the same ABC which refused to permit more than thirty seconds of the debate coverage to be re-broadcast by others, thereby hoarding coverage that should be considered -- and in the past was considered -- as a public service -- due to their use of public airwaves. The mishandled, petty, and shameful moderation of the debate results from a news media monopoly which has sacrificed in depth coverage, investigation, fairness, and all attempts to probe significant topics, and instead proffers what passes for entertainment, including cosmetic surgery, celebrity fixations, and an obsession with minor "bad" news hooks, over substance.

"Most Americans know more about Britney Spears than we do about global warming," Robert F. Kennedy told the thousand people gathered at last weekend's annual Being Fearless conference, hosted by the Omega Institute. Kennedy characterized our prurient interest in other peoples' sex lives, or the woes of manufactured celebs as "appeals to the reptilian brain."

Although most of us don't think much about it, every time we click on the boobs, the latest pseudo news hook fist fight, sex tip, or scandal, we are boobies, because we're signaling to the on-line editors that we prefer the quick thrill of seduction to being informed.

Kennedy himself, who has a well-documented, intelligent, and thoughtful critique of this government's environmental, science, and health public policy has been repeatedly censored by ABC and the very same media conglomerates that brought you last week's debate coverage. That's why you may have formed the impression that he's not to be trusted. It's because they don't want you to hear what he has to say. And it's not just ABC news.

Back in my parent's day, Kennedys in their prime were entrusted with the highest office, but today's Kennedy, a well-informed advocate is, maligned, ridiculed, censured, and excluded from mainstream coverage because he offers an accurate (though discomfiting) analysis of environmental rollbacks, public health care policy, and their attendant health impacts.

When Kennedy gave New York Times' editors an array of DNA, animal, epidemiological, and biological studies that document the link between mercury and neurological disorders, they were so "hostile and antagonistic it was like talking to a brick wall," Kennedy reported. In the past, the news media looked for investigative pieces. Today they look the other way, uncritically accepting government studies.

For those who still entertain the fantasy that medical science is "objective" or that the government regulations dutifully protect its citizens, Kennedy reminds us that "the US has privatized safety research and by extension, the regulation of toxins. Expecting objectivity under these conditions is naïve at best." Kennedy is one of the few to connect the dots as:

• Campaign contributors are given posts in oversight of the industries they represent, where they
• Rewrite governmental regulations to protect their industry rather than the public good, resulting in:
• Environmental pollution, misuse of resources, and health care polices harmful to childhood and adult health

The bottom line is that the corporate takeover and rollback of laws and regulations in the public interest occurs because we've lost our watchdog press. Deregulation allowed media conglomerates to monopolize and purvey coverage that supports their vested interests. We're one internet ruling away from an information theocracy.

Investigative journalism, foreign news bureaus, and fair reporting, all bedrocks of news coverage, began to disappear Kennedy reminds us, back in 1988, when Ronald Reagan abolished the Fairness Doctrine. As part of the right to use public airwaves, network television was formerly mandated to provide news coverage even at an economic loss.

But following Reagan's forgotten media coup d'etat broadcasters could keep their licenses while cutting back their news divisions, abdicating their responsibility to inform. Without that law, there was nothing to moderate their kowtowing to advertisers, investors, and a short-sighted bottom line.

"We're the most entertained, and least well informed country on earth." Kennedy says.

If you've ever wondered why your fellow Americans seem "stupid," in repeatedly and misguidedly voting for candidates that appeal to gut level instincts rather those who demonstrate subtle mastery of complex issues, Kennedy points out that, "Misinformation undermines democracy."

Misinformation and declining education produces a populace easily lead around by the short and curlies. This undermining of the bases for democratic decision-making is enacted via rewriters of regulations and legislation in the public interest. But if you're busy reading about Paris Hilton, Reverend Wright, or wrinkle fillers, you may not know about it.

For environmental activism, join Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the Natural Resources Defense Council. If you want to join Deepak Chopra and other health leaders for caring/proactive health care and public policy--and a healthier world, please sign up for the Better Health Campaign at: www.health-journalist.com For media reform, go to www.freepress.net

Comments

[AmandaRuth]

but but but all is ok at abc because they have this really great fake show about a made up law firm who says like really really cool fake things to the Supreme Court, so anything else they do including smearing all democrats all the time is like, just fine.

[3fingerbrown]

RFK Jr. is among the last figures on the national stage who isn't completely full of shit. If the three little presidential candidates stood on each other's shoulders, they still couldn't reach his stature. We've come to a sorry state in national affairs when a person of such obvious quality and intelligence feels he can do more public good working outside the government than within it.

[DickTater]

1988 was just when they kicked down the remaining legal barriers. Corporate abuse of the airwaves was going on in every form before then, it just wasn't as easy.

Ms Levy mentions many times about the networks duty to civic service and news because of their use of OUR airwaves. Most people are unaware that the airwaves are PUBLIC, and were basically given free to the networks instead of being kept in OUR purview. Of course, the networks see the airwaves now as THEIRS and treat it like a legal monopoly....oh, and by the way, they use it to ruin our public discourse, sell wars, brainwash the populace, and convince you that you are fat or should take their pills.
Same is now happening with the internet. Corporations are very good at taking EVERYTHING away from the public. Including your health, health coverage, pensions, medicare, soc. security, investments, public lands, natural resources, etc.

Wake up folks.
And stop calling it MSM everyone. It is Corporate Media.

[luziannagirl]

Alison

Yes, I've too wondered why we don't see more MSM coverage of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and his work. Or, NPR, PBS coverage, for that matter. What's up with that, I wonder?

And considering the perennial conflict of interest between pharmaceutical giants and the funding of drug trials, the failure of medicine to control infectious disease SIMPLY by hand-washing and judicious use of antibiotics, and the pervasive greed shown as prime motivator for going into the career of medicine, regarding your comment "...entertaining the fantasy that medical science is objective...", how about simply entertaining the fantasy that medicine is science?

Yes, we are one policy change away from losing the Internet as a free and uncensored information source.

Maybe the future of the Fourth Estate in America will be furtively glancing at underground hardcopy newspapers mimeographed in garages and dog-eared from being passed hand-to-hand, and surreptitious listening to short wave radio pirate transmissions broadcast from the back of pickup trucks in the desert.

[sssteverrr]

You know, we wring our hands and we feel bad as we watch our country, our freedom and our livelihood sink into the quicksand of Facism and we post on Huffington. Give me Liberty or give me Lattte is what we say I guess.

But what will we do when the truth becomes unescapeable, what will we do then. Will we notice, or be fooled by the oh so gradual decline. Give me Liberty, or I'll move to Europe, Canada?

I'm frustrated and confused.

[JScott]

And that tune is from a display from another (competing?) media conglom-GE.

[JScott]

Walt would be turning in his grave.

'There's a great big beautiful tomorrow'-he would be apalled at what tomorrow has become.

(google it folks)

[ghostwriter5]

RFK, Jr is a Clinton supporter. Didn't hear much about that either, especially here.

[audiodramatist]

Now there is a debate question:
Back in 1988, Ronald Reagan abolished the Fairness Doctrine.
This resulted in the large broadcast entities abdicating their responsibility to inform; kowtowing to advertisers, investors, and a short-sighted bottom line.

Senator, will you suggest to congress a strong reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine?

Does that sound good?
Can i get on national, world wide tv and the Internet like that lapel pin lady did?
Can i get my 15 minutes of fame? I promise to give you credit Alison. You and Kennedy.

[Thorn]

ABC had the audacity -- in your phrase -- to "welcome Cindy McCain to 'The View'"? What an outrage! Why can't they adhere to campaigning for the Democrats?

[mediamarv]

And Twilight Zone is or was your favorite tv show, right?

[SamThornton]

Two words explain ABC's successful race to the bottom: Roone Arledge. He's the guy who destroyed sports journalism by inventing the Armpit Journalism committed by "Up Close And Personal" nonentity, Jim McKay. Arledge also invented "Tits 'n Ass" prime-time programming with shows like "Charlie's Angels."

Mr. Arledge never made the mistake of overestimating the intelligence of his audience. It's a proud tradition at ABC.

Roone Arledge departed this life in 2002, but his spirit goes marching on in the offices, halls and boardrooms of ABC. Look for Pamela Anderson to host their next "Presidential Debate."