Media Trolls

I was on Jet Blue yesterday and had the time to watch the news -- CNN, ABC, FOX and I can only begin to tell you how much the news folks were nattering about Rev. Jackson's remark about Sen Obama -- talking in shocked or righteous tones about what was said,"I can't even put it on the air!", interviewing this person and that asking loaded questions "Does the Black community...". I'm feeling angry about this use of prime media time because this is a pure media issue creation. Rev. Jackson thought he was off the air and speaking privately when he spoke. He apologized as soon as he realized what had happened. In a world with responsible media this would not have been the top story of the day.

The media is manufacturing its own headline news and I don't like it. I feel manipulated. You are not going to tell me that a whispered comment was the most important thing that happened yesterday. These folks are working to stir up a fight for their own purposes. That is irresponsible and self serving. Worse, this is business as usual in American news. I bet most folks viewing thought this was news because this is what they have become used to. No wonder so many people watch the Daily Show instead of the news or turn to other trusted sources to become informed. Yesterday's coverage of Rev. Jackson's aside sure didn't cause me to understand national or world events better. It was more of a brain twist -- is there a more devious underlying motivation behind this media circus? Are the media trying to manipulate the election? or are they just craven lovers of discord? Hard to say.

I want to propose a new term for news people that are purveyors of negative personal gossip rather than hard news -- Media Trolls. The "reporters" lurk near prime public figures intent upon digging for media gossip that is salacious. The newscasters are seeking the emotional and shocking. Their work lacks the underlying motivation of keeping the public informed about key issues. This used to be the territory of the supermarket tabloids. News outlets that have historically been our serious news providers are now right in there with the tabloids. This is death to democracy.

Comments

[PaulinaSmedes]

Speaking of Media Trolls, did you all catch this video: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ben-cohen/bushs-banned-interview-an_b_111804.html
Must see for everyone! It's hilarious. A little Irish teaching for American journalists. This is how it's done guys. Watch and learn!

[demfriend]

Joan, did you just wake up and see the light on the tv screen? This has been going on for years and for sure during the Bush years as they have been fed the news they can use by this administration then they fire up the fear factor by running with stories which make little or no sense. After all who in their right mind who knows the many "holes" air gets through into houses would go out and buy plastic sheeting and duck tape for window and doors? You would have to seal your house with the tents that they use to kill all the bugs before you sell your house to save your bacon if attacked by any kind of airborn "killer" germ warfare. That kind of seal-off would also kill you. The GOP fear and lie machine has been going gangbusters and the MSM has been using the memos/emails from the GOP owners and managers to fuel the fires of the lies. These kinds of hate filled "news" reports and inflamatory crap keeps happening and no one but one or two shows total cares to change it. Balls isn't on the seven dirty words list folks.

[itolduso]

"News outlets that have historically been our serious news providers are now right in there with the tabloids.".............................................Sorry, but news outlets have gone much further into the 'dark side' than the tabloids- for one thing, tabloids still have 'working' editors who review and vett outrageous gossip with an understanding that failure to do so could cost them in a lawsuit. The msm doesn't have to worry about being held accountable-they've traded in their editors for 'expeditors' - it's all about speed and 'breaking news'- from the gutter to the people 24/7.

[bacaja]

People are being told what to think, and their thinking it.

[TroubleNYC]

Media Trolls. I LOVE IT!

[graffen48]

Agree with you, although I think the media for the most part are tooting their own horns. A lot of us are much smarter than they think we are, and simply view this as mildly amusing, but mainly, it makes the media look like idiots once again.

[protagonia]

The mainstream media is not our friend. It is a weapon against our minds.

Against America's soul.

[NoBo08]

I am shocked shocked to find the media is making up it's own headline news. Many believe the left wing media have been doing it for years. Ask W if he thinks this is new.

[bogues]

Thank you so much for writing this article. It seems to me that some of the main stream media are angry with Sen. Obama because he does not kiss up to them for favorable coverage. That anger is reflected in what they choose to make the headline of the day. John McCain's campaign are making shocking news daily and we the viewers are being short-changed because they would rather try to make news out of what Jessie Jackson said. What a sad shame. I have no idea who would be worthy of the Edward R. Murrow award this year.

[RobertAndropolis]

The Murrow award will be a tie between Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopolous, who have committed to wearing flag lapel pins to the ceremony.

[LatinnoDem]

I totally agree with the view that the media is very mercenary in creating issues to keep us glued to the TV and raising their ratings. It has been true all this past week with the issue of Obama moving to the right, specially regarding the Iraq war. This "issue" was totally manufactured to creade audience interest. Unfortunately, even seasoned folks on the left fell for it. At the same time, I do want to say that, in my view, this Jesse Jackson incident was in fact important. Not because of the crude remarks but what it implied in substantive terms. Imagine a prominent black leader saying that Obama is "dissing" Black people. That is news. That projects a possible division in the AA community regarding Obama. What could be more improtant in this political season?. This is one time the media got it right, as to significance, but obviously not, on the tiltilating fous on the crude component.

[pfc1369]

You are quite wrong in this case.

Jackson has always been a one-eyed Jack, and on rare occasions shows his other face.

It's always useful to get a candid glimpse of anyone who has spent their life seeking and often exerecising power over others.

[AdamX]

responsible media died with Mayhill Fowler.

[goodnrg]

Well, maybe not dead, but certainly dealt a serious blow by Fowler, and her enablers Rosen and Cooper.

[bogues]

Amen!!!

[DarkWitch]

You nailed it. That's why I haven't switched on MSM for news for a long time. Just this morning my daughters were watching a "news story" about an abandoned baby panda that was adopted by a cat with a new litter. How touching. This is the most important thing going on in the world right now? MSM has deteriorated to entertaining 9 year olds when they can't dig up some dirt.

[Highwind]

I completely agree with you. The media will do anything to keep this horse race going. They need the ratings and the reason why they focus so much on Obama is because he's a ratings bonanza. They will criticize everything he does and says. They will literally make a news story out of how he blows his nose. Oh wait, they already did that!

[hughbetcha]

I hope Blades' standard is upheld when the next conservative says something stupid and crude and is caught. And yet, why oh why, do I know it won't happen?

[shrinqrap]

It looks to me like Jesse's been talking to Hillary.

Where else do you think he got *that* idea? LOL

Seriously, I completely agree with the author's point. Of course this is nothing but "Infotainment", served up to the masses to keep the ad-buying eyeballs glued to the screen. Capitalism anyone?

Sadly, "Journal"ism lives only in journals anymore.

[jfh]

OBAMINATIONS ALWAYS FIND A WAY TO SPIN ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT SAINT OBAMA AS SENATOR CLINTON'S FAULT.

IT IS BETTER TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT AND LET PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE A FOOL THAN TO OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND PROVE IT!

[C65]

I see you've been reading your bible.Now take the time to
sit and study it. Had you kept your mouth shut,we would never have
known who the fool were.

[MNinWI]

WHY DO YOU WRITE ALL IN CAPS? WHY ARE YOU SO PARANOID?

[shrinqrap]

@jfh You wouldnt have had to SHOUT that out.

Just opening your mouth would have been sufficient to prove it. LOL