Open Letter to the Media

What are you doing??

When I grew up, we could count on the “News” to give us up-to-date information about the world around us. We looked forward to the news. We felt more intelligent when the news was over. Now, I feel dirty after watching the news, so what happened?

24/7 news happened. Now, you have to find something to fill all of the time in the day with “news”. Even though you repeat the same things over and over and over, you think the news has to be “fun”, “exciting”, entertainment.

But that’s not your job! Your job is to inform your viewers of what is happening. You are supposed to alert them to potential dangers, let them know when things are OK, and tell them what weather they will be experiencing tomorrow. You are supposed to prepare Americans for the most important task an American has – voting, and protect them from potential harm.

The American People don’t need blood and gore, and political strife to get through their day. They need, and want, facts. They don’t want to be bombarded with all the ugliness of the world 24/7/365. They need relief! The depression rates are soaring in our country. Sadly, the media is responsible for a LOT of this. The media is causing confusion, distrust, inflaming bigotry, and stirring up anger, even hatred. Give us some good news. Show us Love still abounds.

Do you know what people need? Civics lessons! Constitution lessons! That’s right! Why not become the best thing that could happen to the American People by teaching them how their government works. Instead of letting politicians, who have only their own interests at heart, explain their side of an issue, inform the people of what the issue really is. What is the current law? How are they trying to change it? How will it affect Americans?  Give us numbers, comparisons, examples! Why not make Americans informed voters? Why not quiz politicians about their knowledge of their job? And bring it to everyone’s attention when they contradict their words with their voting. Why not tell the people how their representatives voted on an issue. (And explain the excess BS that was added to the issue that might make a person vote the way they did)  You, the Media, could help Americans understand their government, vote intelligently, and keep government from voting against the best interests of our nation. You could be the Heroes, instead of the Jerks.

I am sick of the First Amendment being used as an “excuse” for lying to the American Public. How Dare You! In the meantime, you have helped to build a wall between Americans. You have denied us the truth, so that most people no longer know what the truth is!

You think this is what the American People want?? NO!!

I think that I speak for the majority of Americans when I say that we are sick of being manipulated by the media! We want Truth! We want Facts! We want Reality! (And I don’t mean like reality shows, either)

Whatever happened to ethics in journalism? That used to be a big thing, both for the reporter, and the interviewee. I was surprised to see that the Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ) still has a code of ethics. So, my question is: Who follows them? 

Here is the Preamble to the SPJ code of ethics:

Preamble

Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice.

I encourage people to read the entire link I have provided, however, here are the basic tenets of the code:

ü        Seek Truth & Report it

ü        Minimize Harm

ü        Act Independently

ü        Be Accountable

How many of our News media actually follow those ethics today?  Sadly, it appears that all of the television, and many of the print and radio, are failing society.  You aren’t news anymore. You are cheap attempts at entertainment at the expense of the reputation of individuals and the loss of Truth to the American Public.

I remember when the evening “News” would have editorials. At that time, there had to be a “disclaimer” at the beginning and ending of that portion to notify people that this was opinion only.  Today everything we hear is opinion, or fabricated BS, or manipulated “clips”.  While it has become harder and harder to sue the industry for defamation, slander, or libel, there are more and more cases where the media should be sued. 

I realize that today’s society wants “instant” everything. Truth doesn’t come in 30 second sound bites. But why feed them with it? Why not be the leaders in integrity, truth, and ethics? Why would you allow your industry to become a laughingstock to the world? Why would anyone want to mislead their own country? Why would you lie to your fellow Americans? Why would the entire “news” media become sources of propaganda?

I have a daughter who was in Forensics (Debate) in high school. I remember one night she came home from a competition and she was furious. When I asked her what went wrong, she explained that the information they had used had come from the local paper, and the National Forensics said that our local paper was not considered “reliable sources of information”.  Why? Because the Daily Oklahoman (better known as the Joke-lahoman) was biased.  Imagine these young people’s surprise, and disappointment, that their local paper was not considered reliable! They were devastated! From that point on, they had to spend more time at the library (finding distant sources) to research, because they couldn’t count on their own local media to give them acceptably unbiased, honest information!!

I would be willing to bet that if one News station/Newspaper, came out for the TRUTH, and backed themselves up with proof of their honesty, they could become heroes to the American People. I believe, once they had proven themselves, they would have the highest ratings. There is a series called the Newsroom, which portrays a newsgroup that demands integrity and ethics. Why can’t America’s news be like that again?

You, the News Media should be where we go to learn the truth about our candidates. Where we know what our government is doing for, or against us. You should be providing us with insight into new technologies, new medical advancements, weather conditions, election results, local news, and human interest stories. When you make a mistake, it should be even more prominently displayed than the mistake. You should be accountable for your mistakes, and make sure that everyone that heard the wrong information hears the truth. A “News” channel, if having talk shows, should strive for the same things. I am sick of hearing “forums” or “panels” that sit around and allow lies to be told. Whatever information is presented on a 24 hour news channel should be held to the strictest rules of journalistic ethics. If a politician, clergyman, local sports star, commentator lies (or makes a statement that is not true) they should be required to apologize and make the correction (and if they refuse, should never be interviewed again, and the media will correct their falsehood). When people are interviewed, you should tell them that if their information turns out false, they will be expected to correct it (or it will be corrected without them if they refuse). And if you can’t tell the truth, there should be a banner clearly scrolling along the bottom, through the entire session, stating that it is opinion or satire.
News and Fantasy are supposed to be worlds apart, and yet, YOU, OUR MEDIA have combined them into one format, and called it “News”.

 I, for one, am sadly disappointed in you.