A Citizens' Bill of Rights for Better News Media
Over the next 60-some days, Americans will likely choose two candidates to be the next President of the United States. It's an awesome thought -- especially considering the media's key role, and the superficial debates and shallow media coverage that are the norm. Who will blunder? Who will zing whom? Will Rudy be rude or take Mitt to the mat? And what will Jon Stewart say about it, if that darn writers strike in Hollywood ever ends? Forget health care or immigration or Iraq; the real campaign will be fought on the battlefield of personalities and sound bites.
Yes, the problem is bigger than the media; the Media R Us. If we were a bit more interested in issues, elections, and government than in TiVo-ing the next episode of Dirty Sexy Money, we would probably get better journalism, and with better journalism, better democracy.
We can't remake American journalism in the next two months. But we can get started. So here's a Media Bill of Rights -- not for journalists, but for their audience:
1. No dumb questions to the candidates on our behalf about diamonds vs. pearls, or boxer shorts vs. briefs. Even if we'd like to know.
2. No questions on our behalf about money, sex, or religion. I know, dears, those are tough ones to leave alone. But do the right thing: honor they audience. Remember how the American people got tired of the Monica Lewinsky story while you media folks were still flogging it to death? If that happens again, ask not for whom the bell of mistrust tolls. It tolls for thee.
3. Get the relevant facts and get them right -- but a dollop of context too, please. Don't be afraid to explain, to be serious, to shun meaningless fluff and mayhem. Are you listening, daytime producers for CNN?
4. Ask tough but relevant questions on our behalf that are not intended simply to provoke a gaffe. It's newsmakers' job to embarrass themselves -- not yours.
5. If a question asked on our behalf elicits an evasive answer, please ask it again, or ask a follow-up. Otherwise you are an accessory to a hoodwinking.
6. If public figures treat you with disrespect (remember President Reagan cupping his ear over the din of a waiting helicopter?) please remind them that you represent us, the people, at least as much as they do -- you are our surrogates in seeking accountable government. Contempt for the press is contempt for us all.
7. Ask about things that really matter to us -- including in places like Iran and Somalia. Cover the horse race, sure, but don't be like Lady Godiva, who put everything she had on a horse. It matters who's ahead and who's trailing, but it shouldn't drive out coverage of issues, and it shouldn't drive events.
8. Finally, never debase the First Amendment by using it as a shield against criticism. Criticism of the media doesn't abridge freedom of the press -- it is freedom of the press. Get over it. You're not gods. Just guardians of democracy.
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Hopefully the writers strike will continue, the networks use it as an opportunity to air meaningful news rather than more infotainment and vapid reality tv.
Olbermann has the juevos that the entire MSM lacks!
The MSM is Afraid they will lose Money. If they got it right, they would be surprised! We are hungering for honest, tough, dialogue. The MSM is mamby pamby and dishonest. Bleah.
And finally, give us some real news, instead of all this pandering about religion, Oprah, and political emoticons? For instance, why aren't Bush and Cheney behind bars in Guantanamo, or better yet water boarding? Obviously this administration is a den of thieves ransacking our nation while we all stand by and pretend that's how it's supposed to be. Or do we simply get what we deserve? Now there’s the story.
The MySpace/Fa
You need to add:
When asking questions, ask the exact same question of every candidate of both parties.
I have a serious problem with the lack of identical questions to both parties.
After seeing how the media went after Romney about the whole Mormon thing like a school of piranha in a pool of blood, I feel that every single candidate should make it perfectly clear where they stand on religion and how it will or will not influence their presidency!
And add this:
Any media person reporting on a candidate should be required to state their party affiliation AND their views on the exact same subject matter they are reporting.
I am tired of the media trying to influence our votes because they have an agenda, whatever happened to reporting the story and only the story?
With the serious ramifications of a lazy or bought-off media to the very future of our own country, what a delight to read the amusing yet simultaneously very serious litany by Jeff Scheuer of what we should demand from the pundits. It's time to put down the Britney/Li
Great ideas! I've filed this under "Things That Will Never Happen. Ever."
Great ideas! I've filed this under "Things That Will Never Happen. Ever."
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