13 May 2008

Pundit Abuse

I have been politically active since before I could vote. For the first time in my life, I am totally disillusioned with a system that allows the media to control the campaign with what they support or don't support, quote or don't quote, rephrase or misinterpret. It is a total betrayal of everything that journalism is supposed to be.

Whomever you support, take the time to read this Crooks and Liars column. Nations have been enslaved simply because their media only reported what the powers that be wanted the populace to hear. This political season is an "I'm Mad As Hell" moment in the life of our nation. It may already be too late to stick up for freedom and a press that actually reports what is happening rather than what they want you to think happened, but we need to try.

Write a letter to the editors. Send an email. Make phone calls. Protest in front of buildings. Tune your TVs to C-SPAN or the BBC ... anything but the networks either mainline or cable. Let them know you will not let your freedoms be shredded by an ego driven punditry.

5 comments:

eProf2 said...

Great rant! I couldn't agree with you more. I think, too, the Internet has had a lot to do with shaping this year's election. We now live in a 24/7 political environment with the longest running primary in history leaving the door open for talking heads, talking videos, talking chat rooms, talking, talking, talking and more talking leaving little or no room for objective journalism, which has probably never been objective but even less so today.

Corey said...

My best friend and I were talking last night about announcers who are on one network and then disappear. Then they reappear on a different network with a different line of work. My friend said , "You mean like Keith Olbermann?" We both agreed he is a sports guy and has no business as a political pindit.

Anonymous said...

Jamie,
I didn't realize you had this site.
I appreciate your help on Craigs blog.

It is such a relief to read this "Pundit abuse" post. I was tortured for months watching cable news distort and slant the Hillary reporting. I felt I was the only one who noticed and that everyone else was being brain washed.

Then, on Craigs site I found out that a lot of other people were appalled too.

I've resorted to Fox because they don't trash Hillary 24/7.

I have not watched an election closely since Bill Clinton ran and
so didn't know if this was normal. Glad to find out it's unacceptable to others also.

I've email the cable stations in the past and will continue to.

Thanks!, meg

Travis Cody said...

Yup. I have done this.

We the people have allowed this to happen. We must remind the media that we want fact-based news reports, not innuendo or outright lies.

enigma4ever said...

sadly I have been writing them since the War began..their coverage of ALL issues war to election has been terrible...it was terrible in 2004 and still is...

and McCain is already being pampered like a Wounded Hero...rather than a Candidate...

Many are not happy with the Coverage- Obama supporters and Hillary supporters...

I am not happy because I just would like to see the issues covered...but it did not even happen in 22 debates....not the way it needs to be covered...