Journalism is Dead

 Journalism is Dead!

"All journalism is activism" is a perfect distillation of the totalitarian ethos… written by a recent Twitterer. He further explained, “In other words, every aspect of speech and thought is a political action that must serve the ‘correct’ ideology. Every fact must be viewed through a political lens and spun or suppressed.”  That Journalism is dead is because it has become a form of protest, activism, and not true to the profession. 

It was Nikole Hannah-Jones, a New York Times reported who proclaimed, “All journalism is activism.” Many find her reporting left-sided, and her 1619 Project filled with historical errors.  Those that referred to her reporting as ‘biased journalism,’ as a rebuke, were being kind.  Erasing any doubts she made clear by her statement that her writing and reporting are not based on ‘fairness,’ but opinion and distortions. Some have referred to such authorship as ‘fake news.’

She was recently considered but denied tenure at UNC.  However this Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist (making one feel the Pulitzer Prize as the Nobel Prize only goes to liberals) instead in July (2021) welcomed a five-year appointment to the faculty of The Hussman School of Journalism and Media at UNC joining the university as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism.  Interesting, in my opinion, her slant on Race and what she investigates and calls journalism will continue to reflect her personal viewpoints, not reality. 

NBC branded Lester Holt ‘The Anchor for America.’ Now you know they are a bias based ideologically focused news outlet.  That is not reporting news, but opinion. Here is why. Holt recently won an award, the Edward R. Murrow Award (3/2021), and during his acceptance speech noted, “Regard for the truth must regain a foothold in our society so that we can weather the storms of tomorrow’s calamities.” Sounds prudent. Then he went on to say, “I think it’s become clearer that fairness is overrated….The idea that we should always give two sides equal weight and merit does not reflect the world we find ourselves in.”  There you have it. Ideological bias can be the leading edge of news reporting at NBC.  Who does he speak for? “Holding those in power accountable is at the core of our function and responsibility,” yet he can be the arbiter of the one who speaks, and thus treating Trump differently than Biden is justified, by Holt and the network, not necessarily truth or fact, but opinion. 

NBC joins the chorus of CNN, MSNBC and the New York Times, with the ‘Anchor for America,’ Holt’s voice, the sound of their political views and preferences.

Then there is Jim Acosta of CNN that continues to promote ‘provocation’ by Trump causing the January 6 capital insurrection.  This has never been proven.  He recently (7/6/2021) asked a guest (R-NC Rep. Madison Cawthorn), “What are your thoughts on associating yourself with the former president after he gave that speech on January 6 and provoked an insurrection at the capital?  Why associate yourself with him?”  The guest supported Trump, however, to Acosta’s dismay. To the premise that Trump “invoked insurrection. I don’t believe that’s what happened whatsoever.  I think he (just) spoke at a rally…I genuinely don’t think there was any provocation from anybody who spoke that day.”  Acosta interjected, “but he had been telling the big lie for weeks, and he continues to lie….”  Acosta has no facts, even as to the election, stolen or not, but refuses to allow for objective thought, even open investigation, into the truth. He is an ‘activist.’ 

“Reporters now claim greater and greater license to frame news to illustrate the truth as they see it…this new journalism quickly becomes raw advocacy,” Jonathan Turley recently tweeted. 

The text Rules of Journalism by Jim Lehrer (of PBS fame - The News Hour) is being ignored in the halls of education that produce todays reporters.  Rules for Radicals is becoming more their study guide.

Sad for us all but so much journalism today distorts the truth and conflates opinions. It is bad news for those seeking the truth.  Just give me the facts.  But then who is there to do it?  Independent, objective thinking is needed.  We need open minds, not mindless followers. The real story may become like cryptocurrency, requiring mining by each person to find the nuggets, the facts, from which true currency for decision making, choosing officials to be elected, can be generated. 

Fox News has a show, The Five, that offers two sides, admittedly with a more conservative leaning, but has a Democrat’s voice there to express disagreement or support for the left when a debate takes place.  The viewer can hear more than one view, the facts laid forth to then be discussed. The viewer can also observe when panelists are prepared or just spewing their thoughts, and even see first hand reactions.  There is some humor and camaraderie among the sides as well.  

In the last election much of the nation I feel ignored the news.  They did not read newspapers or watch TV.  The East and West Coast dwellers received more direct information, opinions matter, while mid-Americans just went about their daily lives without regard for national news and views. Time differences have an impact.  So where are we expected to get the right stuff today?

Journalism may not be dead, yet, but it is whimpering.  There is a vacuum stealing the truth or having it deposited on newsroom floors allowing news producers to invoke their wants to be read by their anchors.  Ignorance is not bliss, at least not when it comes to picking incompetent leaders to serve our nation and spend our tax dollars.  Honest journalism has become a captive of ratings.  If whatever is said, the truth be damned, can produce viewers, sell papers or magazines, then the attitude at CNN, NBC, the NYT, WAPO, MSNBC, ABC, CBS and others seems to be one of ‘go for it. We need the money.’

Why is it always about the money?  

Here is Rules for Journalism

Jim Lehrer’s Rules of Journalism

I practice journalism in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Do nothing I cannot defend.
• Do not distort, lie, slant or hype.
• Do not falsify facts or make up quotes.
• Cover, write and present every story with the care I would want if the story were about me.
• Assume there is at least one other side or version to every story.
• Assume the viewer is as smart and caring and good a person as I am.
• Assume the same about all people on whom I report.
• Assume everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
• Assume personal lives are a private matter until a legitimate turn in the story mandates otherwise.
• Carefully separate opinion and analysis from straight news stories and clearly label it as such.
• Do not use anonymous sources or blind quotes except on rare and monumental occasions. No one should ever be allowed to attack another anonymously.
• Do not broadcast profanity or the end result of violence unless it is an integral and necessary part of the story and/or crucial to its understanding.
• Acknowledge that objectivity may be impossible but fairness never is.
• Journalists who are reckless with facts and reputations should be
• disciplined by their employers.
• My viewers have a right to know what principles guide my work and the process I use in their practice.
• I am not in the entertainment business.

-Jim Lehrer

Wouldn't it be wonderful if Journalism observed these simple rules. It would be an awakening, good for America, good for news networks, and great for WeThe People 

by

Thomas W. Balderston

Author and Blogger