If Newspapers Fail Will The United States Crumble?
Last Friday the Washington Post had a very interesting article about why newspapers must be saved or our society as we know it will crumble. The two writers made a plea of sorts why a investigative press is good for us and that bloggers could never fill this void. But it was this one statement that struck a sour cord, IMHO:
For the first time in American history, we are nearing a point where we will no longer have more than minimal resources (relative to the nation’s size) dedicated to reporting the news. The prospect that this “information age” could be characterized by unchecked spin and propaganda, where the best-financed voice almost always wins, and cynicism, ignorance and demoralization reach pandemic levels, is real. So, too, is the threat to the American experiment.
‘Minimal resources’? Today there are more TV stations that are strictly dedicated to reporting the news as it happens than at other time in our history. Radio stations report the news hourly and there are even stations dedicated to keeping us informed 24 x7. The internet itself keeps us informed with the voices of the people from around the world expressing their opinions.
‘where the best-financed voice almost always win’ ? Hasn’t this always been the way that newspapers have worked? If they were paid enough they would express your opinion if the price was right? Or was Citizen Kane really fictional?
I don’t know about you but I consider myself an intelligent person. So why is it that when the President of the United States addresses Congress, I need to be told by television news people what he just said? Have those who report the news become so arrogant that they need to treat the remainder of us as imbeciles?
What do you think? Comments welcome.
4 Comments
Tom Buchanan
November 2nd, 2009
at 3:36pm
Sorry, I disagree. There may be adequate coverage of national politics, but much of that is done by TV news channels with a blatant bias. Accurate, honest, and responsible coverage is sadly lacking. Blogs do a reasonable job of investigative work, but for the most part blogs reach a self limited audience of like minded people. We have lost the general and mass market reach of investigative reporting in print, and the once significant reach of three television networks. Likewise, there are almost no resources devoted to local investigative reporting, or to meaningful local political reporting of any kind. Most of our politics is local, and it’s those races (state, county, municipal) that will be more influenced by money. The biggest change is in coverage of local politics, which is the “farm league” for our national government. Our democracy will certainly suffer for the loss of general circulation print journalism.
Buffet
November 3rd, 2009
at 5:54am
Most newspapers are politically biased.They surely survive off sensationalism and mud slinging. Then there’s the audacity of charging for the paper itself, despite the revenue generated by advertising and bribes. More importantly, let’s leave a few trees standing to supply us just a little oxygen. Whaddaya say folks? Our democracy will certainly NOT suffer for the loss of a few bird cage liners. The only thing I’ll miss, is the only part I ever read anyway – the Sunday funnies. My only true concern is, where will Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Perry White, and Jimmy Olsen work? And lest we forget, Peter Parker and J. Jonah Jameson?
Ron Schenone
November 3rd, 2009
at 7:31pm
Thank you Buffet. Anyone who doesn’t think newspapers have an agenda and are biased isn’t being realistic.
Buffet
November 3rd, 2009
at 9:29pm
Lemmings, sheep, zombies…..sophisticated Hollywood producers, double naught spies or brain surgeons? All with a sixth grade education. Ripe for brainwashing. Empty cranium – lobotomize – pour in propaganda, prejudice, fear and judgement – shake well. Mustn’t forget misleading advertising! It’s a fair bet there was always a newspaper on the porch at 704 Houser street as well.