Are you happy with the state of American journalism?

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 19:33:31 -0500

It should be no surprise to anyone that I'm not. I've posted numerous opinions and links decrying the state of American journalism. It is my belief that many of our problems, political and non-political, are the fruits of poor journalism. Take for example the three freshmen members of Congress pictured here, all veterans, all Purple Heart recipients. How frequently are they even mentioned. Compare that to the news coverage of Congresswomen Alexandris Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar whose every utterance is reported, or Senator Kamala Harris. The press followed her on a shopping spree, gushing over every purchase. This isn't journalism. It's propaganda. We call journalists the Fourth Estate, functioning as a referee in all matters relating to politics and government. Imagine any competition, such as football, played without an unbiased referee. As soon as the favored side figures out that they can get away with anything, indeed assisted by the game's arbiters, they will cheat. Well, that's what I see happening today. That's not to say that the other side isn't cheating. It's just that the other side will be penalized when caught cheating (and penalized even when they aren't)

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 17 at 2019 8:55 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 20:55:53 -0500

CPT Jack Durish my disgust is not just with this particular issue. It is with the general decline in what passes for journalism in the last ten years. The 24/7 new cycle is all about being "first" with out deference to being correct and accurate. Filling hours of broadcast with flappy head praddle to create the veneer of reporting when no one knows a darn thing. Amplified by jumping on the first unconfirmed garbage that is thrown out, if we are lucky to be clarified in some aside later when facts are actually known. The scene in Anchor Man 2 of the first coverage of a car chase in progress is documentary as well as satire. The focus on the trivial lives of celebrities has supplanted the human interest story. Social media seems to have supplanted actual research in the coverage of current events, politics, foreign policy etc. the Viseral reaction becomes accepted as right, without the slightest reference to actual law, precedent, treaty, or constitution. Everything is dumbed down as to not lose audiences between celebrity schlock bits... The bias is often so thick you can taste it, regardless of your political affiliation. The advent of broadcast journalism was supposed to inform the public interest.

What is with news papers "endorsing" political candidates? They are supposed to be unbiased media of record. Makes me sick to hear the Denver Post endorses so and so or the Sacramento Bee endorse whozamacallit.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Feb 17 at 2019 9:11 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 21:11:03 -0500

CPT Jack Durish This is something i have watched over the years,becoming more extreme every year.It seems that specific "entities" are followed by the media in their common task and leisure time in lieu of anything more noteworthy because of the bias of certain "journalist" and networks.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Feb 17 at 2019 10:10 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 22:10:51 -0500

My contempt for American Journalism goes back many years to the Vietnam War, the first time I recognized their hunger for power and control. Although it may have existed prior to then, I hadn't recognized their willingness to manipulate their reporting to pass their personal opinions on as fact to the public. I honestly believe they felt, with some justification, that they swayed public opinion to control Washington's conduct of the war and bring about the ultimate result. Then their reporting had great impact upon the ending of the Nixon presidency. Since then, instead of reporting, they share the mission of controlling outcomes and shaping our nation in their image while gaining personal fame.

Interestingly, I did have one opportunity to make my own little strike for freedom and the American way. Somehow, I once pulled a mission to deliver an NBC news team to a fire base south of DaNang. As the team was disembarking, the lead correspondent came up to the cockpit and DIRECTED I should return in 1/2 hour to retrieve them. The first thing I did when I cleared the zone was report to DASC that I had made my drop and asked if they had any other missions. Fortunately they did, and assigned me another line that obviously was going to take the rest of the day. I'm sure the team was picked up since I never heard of their loss or other adverse reports, but I've often hoped that the correspondent cussed that Marine Corps pilot who disobeyed his instructions for at least a couple of hours after the time he expected me back.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 17 at 2019 10:18 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 22:18:00 -0500

Just voting. Already said my piece

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 17 at 2019 10:39 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 22:39:50 -0500

I think it’s pathetic, CPT Jack Durish. The other respondents have articulated succinctly my thoughts on the subject, so I won’t bother to repeat them.