by Allan Erickson
The column below brought to you courtesy of Striker Journal …
Striker Summary: Recent developments in the world of journalism and media illustrate the big changes needed – and perhaps occurring – in that world. Tucker Carlson and a former New York Times opinions page editor seem to be leading the way.
by Allan Erickson
Two recent developments demonstrate the importance of constantly defining and refining journalism and its place in society. One is a piece written by James Bennet, columnist for The Economist and former editorial page editor of the NY Times. The second development: Tucker Carlson announcing his new news service, saying, “If ever there was a time when this country needed honest and fearless reporting on the stories that matter most, it’s now.” (Links below)
Bennet’s piece is titled: “When the NY Times lost its way-America’s media should do more to equip readers to think for themselves.” Long accused of hyper-partisanship and propaganda, the NY Times has lost revenue and credibility for years, one of the corporate bad guys Tucker decries. Many readers will scoff at Bennet’s premise saying the NY Times has been trying to mold public opinion leftward, not encourage critical thinking. Tucker says corporate media is already dead. Certainly it is on life support.
After his ouster from FOX, Tucker was clear: contemporary corporate media is corrupt, it is dead, because it lies and is both partisan and profit-motivated. Tucker elaborates:
“ . . . the corporate news industry is dead. And they did it to themselves by lying over and over again. They told you the COVID-19 vax was safe and effective. That was a lie. They told you the Hunter Biden laptop story was a hoax. That was a lie. They told you that Russia blew up its own pipeline, fueling the drumbeats of war. That was a lie. Ultimately, they have lied themselves to death. No one trusts them anymore, and for good reason.”
We might add all the corporate media lies about the border, illegal immigration, terrorism, the economy, inflation, Jan. 6, and climate change. Also, witness the current feeding frenzy as corporate media pushes the narrative that President Trump, if re-elected, will murder and imprison people because he is actually a fascist dictator.
Throughout the history of journalism in America, charges of bias, pandering, propaganda, libel, grand standing, influence peddling and outright manipulation have flourished, demonstrating the need for a more scientific approach, all in the name of serving the public interest.
Today we have giant multi-media international conglomerates giving us the news 24/7, resulting in record-setting chaos, control, confusion and dishonesty. A more scientific approach is needed more than ever. The unprecedented blending of media, big money and globalists, working to censor all who dissent, is a new development no one addresses effectively other than President Trump. He relentlessly attacks ‘fake news’ and the crowds love it.
According to Bennet and the Left, Trump is an agent of social degradation and a symptom of it as well. Bennet says media changed for the worse thanks to Trump’s talent for lying and manipulation. These are unsubstantiated accusations in the worst traditions of slanted journalism. While attempting to skewer Trump, Bennet reveals his vision for journalism. Through it all, polls show Trump has the support of the majority, affirming the claims of populism. The real degradation is being seen in the halls of media, the administrative state and throughout the DOJ and executive branch. The effort to discover truth gets lost in the hustle and bustle.
Like Pontius Pilate, many stand bemused, asking: “What is truth?”
Bennet says journalists are “arbiters of truth.” Really? How strange. The rest of us believe God is the ultimate arbiter. Politically we embrace this quaint idea that The People determine truth, relying on their elected representatives (and journalists) to proceed accordingly.
Bennet also says journalists “help(ing) readers understand the world, in order to fix it.” Apparently we are so limited, dumb, misinformed and delinquent we cannot understand the world so we must rely on the Evening News. Such a system promises world fixes, he says. If that is so, then why have things become much worse these last few years? This elitist arrogance would have sickened Edward R. Murrow. To his credit Bennet acknowledges the corrosive power of presumption.
Bennet admits the NY Times and other corporate outlets lost respect for readers, attempted to lead them around by the nose, denied their ability to arrive at useful conclusions, and crippled themselves in the process.
The formula for success is as it has always been: KISS (keep it straightforward sweetheart), focus on accuracy, thorough treatment, and objectivity, remain non-partisan, fair, presenting all sides without favoritism, and focus on facts. Journalists once confronted their own biases and worked hard to set them aside in the name of professionalism. They must do so again returning to the tried and true guide to right treatment: who, what, where, when and why. The People can be trusted to make right decisions at the right times, although it may take time, and patience, and objective journalism.
It appears Tucker Carlson is leading the way into the future by applying best practices from the past. Bennet appears to be repenting of the past with an eye on following Tucker’s lead, to some extent.
In any case, consumers of news can become activists right away by choosing reliable media outlets dispensing accurate and useful news, a required piece of the foundation of any successful Republic. If we fail to return to an objectivity-based journalism, we will fade away.
https://www.economist.com/1843/2023/12/14/when-the-new-york-times-lost-its-way
https://tuckercarlson.com/tucker-carlson-uncensored/
The views here are those of the author and not necessarily Striker Journal.
Originally posted @ Clash Daily.
Image: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/; Adapted from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/52586280951
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