I have always marveled at the work of acoustical engineers. This is not to say I even begin to understand what they do, let alone the mathematics behind it. But the notion that you can balance the vibrations of sound, bring out the clarity of a sole oboe in a concert hall, separate a voice from a noisy background, well, it is downright mysterious and enchanting to me.
In order for the matter at hand to be superficially addressed, resolved, and corrected, a measure of honesty is first required. Media is not the same thing as the "news media", and the 'news media' is not the same thing as journalism.
Media in general has decided that the most appropriate persona to don for the occasion is that of the small boy, whose mother believes he can do no wrong, who attempts to placate him with a sugar-heavy drink just before they board a six-hour flight. After taking off said child removes the seatbelt otherwise restraining him, and proceeds to spend the next three hours - as his sugar high burns off - kicking the back of the seat in front of him. And when the occupant of that seat - yours truly - politely asks the mother of the lil' darling to discourage him she responds with a condescending smile and explains that he just "expressing himself".
The "news media" in general has decided that since this persona is no longer available they will assume the persona of the neighborhood juvenile delinquent. You know the one. Cuts the whiskers off the cat belonging to the aged widow at the end of the street. Shoots dogs with a pellet gun when they lift their leg. Spreads rumors and gossip. And when taken to task for behavior unbecoming presents themselves as a victim of circumstance.
And then there is journalism - a creature almost as rare as a Dodo. Journalism is based on documented fact and truth. Journalism is objective, not subjective - as in partisan politics. Journalists practice journalism much like a lawyer practices law or a doctor practices medicine - always and ever in pursuit of excellence in the form of Craft and Art. Journalism is not about the journalist. It is about a story, an event, an occasion. A journalist does the heavy work required to produce quality journalism, sets it up, and gets out of the way.
Much more could be said on the matter at hand. For now, consider what has been offered.
Excellent read & thoughts. I'm not sure how many true journalist we have in America any longer. Reporting news fairly requires a lot of work & money & do we have what it takes to get that done??
One possible solution can be supported by technology. There should be an agreed to standard for reporting news, and investigative journalism. These standards should be public and publicly transparent. These standards should be independently monitored and certified. Certification could be verified by use of blockchain technology, which authenticates the adherence of the reporting to the standards. All news so certified then would have a known level of trust. Alternate news outlets that publish using the blockchain certification could then be compared. i.e. NYTimes reporting could be compared to WaPo reporting and differences could then be judged by the reader. The reader would therefore be able to compare reporting and use their judgement free from wondering how the news was generated or what the sources were.
In my family, we talked about how to heal the divisions in the country, and so much comes down to distrust. In the old days, we'd say that the solution to mis/disinformation is more information.
But with so many distrusting media sources outside their bubble, I don't know how we pierce the boundaries of OAN-style disinformation. When people dismiss and distrust any information or source they don't *want* to believe, how will *more* information help?
I'm with others in wondering if the Fairness Doctrine is the right or only solution to disinformation. Or would social media, blogs, and other opinion sources outside of the Doctrine just lure people further into their one-note bubbles?
I'm thinking here of my elderly parents, who went from Tom Brokaw to Fox News, and then when Fox News "betrayed" them with news they didn't like about the election, they switched to OAN. They went deeper into their bubbles, and they dismiss anything others say simply because they'd rather hear the lie than the truth. *sigh* None of us have the answers, that's for sure.
The role of the independent, professional media is vitally important in a democracy. We have to hope that people who consume the fringe media with their agenda & lies will be attracted again to factual, rational reporting.
I feel that Dan may be too kind - given his journalistic pedigree - to how the media handled DJT from 2015-20. The media consistently fell for the allure of the sensational story, quoting DJT's incessant lies, giving him what he wanted: free publicity. This also gave DJT control of the narrative and a legitimacy he did not deserve. Also, due to their training, journalists got caught up in "both-sides ism" trying to create a balance to stories concerning DJT as POTUS instead of addressing the lies directly.
What a frightening article and equally frightening comments. Perhaps you should try reading some out loud. Change Trump's name to something else and read them to a friend. You don't seem to realise you sound 'cult like' for want of a better word. The truth is out, all the FBI & CIA files. 2016 & the first 2 years of his presidency, FBI, CIA with the democrats focused on destroying DJT. The whole Russia thing was made up. That is a fact! Why? Why wouldn't they just let him do the job? I'm sure he was very colourful in his past life. But you can tell he pulled his socks up to be president. The truth is, DJT loved the job more than any other pres, and it was the people at the rallies that he loved - that's how he changed the party to be about the workers! He worked for free. He knew it would destroy his brand and he did it anyway. Before covid, your economy was the best it ever has been. He handled covid better than any other western country, in Australia we followed Trump. 5 Nobel peace nominations and the miserable media wrote stories about them being worth nothing anyways! Around the world we have watched the most horrific immoral treatment of a human being and his family. Cyber bullying, the media pushing Russian hoax even now! You know he didn't incite violence and anyone with half a brain can see how staged the 'violent rioters' were, polar opposite to the Trump supporters - their videos are of completely different backgrounds. There was so much fraud in that election third world countries were impressed. Americans & Australians used to be allies. Havent you noticed all your allies politely teaming up with japan and just about anyone BUT the US? He did nothing to hurt anyone ( excepts the activists who are upset by everyone) he is more respected around the world than obama or biden will ever be. He is a very decent man who loved serving his country. You have no reason to treat any person like this. You know it's not right, because the only way it makes sense is if 74 million people, many extremely good, wealthy & intelligent people have to some how be brainwashed or racist or sheep.you know that just doesn't fit. Be careful. Around the world we are all worried about you. You're lucky, when you finally figure it out, there will be 74 million patriots ready to fight along side you.
Who, what, where, when, and how. The "why" isn't a fact but a judgment.
I miss classical education. A course in logic, a course in civics, a course in government, a course in propaganda, etc. We need to teach our citizens to sort out the overt wording used by the press. Just the facts, please.
Thank you, Mr. Rather. I sent your article to my son who is a political journalist. Your points are well taken and I hope will help him in his work. You are always a voice of reason and calm even when the world is spinning out of control.
Thank you Mr. Rather for your article- always a voice of calm and intelligence in times of chaos. I have forwarded your article to my son, a budding political / investigative journalist as your notes may well help him in his work.
Thank you. But cable news is no longer News. CNN MSNBC and Fox represents Political Parties. Always keeping viewers Angry 24/7 If it’s not news worthy, those reporting will beat that story to death 24/7 until they get what they want. High Ratings. Ass kidding hacks who’s only agenda is Recognition and promotions. It’s all about the 💰 No one reports News anymore.
In order for the matter at hand to be superficially addressed, resolved, and corrected, a measure of honesty is first required. Media is not the same thing as the "news media", and the 'news media' is not the same thing as journalism.
Media in general has decided that the most appropriate persona to don for the occasion is that of the small boy, whose mother believes he can do no wrong, who attempts to placate him with a sugar-heavy drink just before they board a six-hour flight. After taking off said child removes the seatbelt otherwise restraining him, and proceeds to spend the next three hours - as his sugar high burns off - kicking the back of the seat in front of him. And when the occupant of that seat - yours truly - politely asks the mother of the lil' darling to discourage him she responds with a condescending smile and explains that he just "expressing himself".
The "news media" in general has decided that since this persona is no longer available they will assume the persona of the neighborhood juvenile delinquent. You know the one. Cuts the whiskers off the cat belonging to the aged widow at the end of the street. Shoots dogs with a pellet gun when they lift their leg. Spreads rumors and gossip. And when taken to task for behavior unbecoming presents themselves as a victim of circumstance.
And then there is journalism - a creature almost as rare as a Dodo. Journalism is based on documented fact and truth. Journalism is objective, not subjective - as in partisan politics. Journalists practice journalism much like a lawyer practices law or a doctor practices medicine - always and ever in pursuit of excellence in the form of Craft and Art. Journalism is not about the journalist. It is about a story, an event, an occasion. A journalist does the heavy work required to produce quality journalism, sets it up, and gets out of the way.
Much more could be said on the matter at hand. For now, consider what has been offered.
https://iamcolorado.substack.com/
Excellent read & thoughts. I'm not sure how many true journalist we have in America any longer. Reporting news fairly requires a lot of work & money & do we have what it takes to get that done??
One possible solution can be supported by technology. There should be an agreed to standard for reporting news, and investigative journalism. These standards should be public and publicly transparent. These standards should be independently monitored and certified. Certification could be verified by use of blockchain technology, which authenticates the adherence of the reporting to the standards. All news so certified then would have a known level of trust. Alternate news outlets that publish using the blockchain certification could then be compared. i.e. NYTimes reporting could be compared to WaPo reporting and differences could then be judged by the reader. The reader would therefore be able to compare reporting and use their judgement free from wondering how the news was generated or what the sources were.
It's a piece of shit article if you ask me
I'm not a journalist but I live by some basic tenets which extend to social media. I'm sure you've all heard them before:
T - Is it true? *Fact check before reposting*
H - Is it helpful? *the 'trivial' stuff usually is not*
I - Is it inspiring? *It's difficult to meet this one but we should strive to do it*
N - Is it necessary? *Again, trivial or snarky (even if true) things don't need propogation.*
K - Is it kind? *If everyone just stopped reposting nastiness imagine how nice it would be?!*
In my family, we talked about how to heal the divisions in the country, and so much comes down to distrust. In the old days, we'd say that the solution to mis/disinformation is more information.
But with so many distrusting media sources outside their bubble, I don't know how we pierce the boundaries of OAN-style disinformation. When people dismiss and distrust any information or source they don't *want* to believe, how will *more* information help?
I'm with others in wondering if the Fairness Doctrine is the right or only solution to disinformation. Or would social media, blogs, and other opinion sources outside of the Doctrine just lure people further into their one-note bubbles?
I'm thinking here of my elderly parents, who went from Tom Brokaw to Fox News, and then when Fox News "betrayed" them with news they didn't like about the election, they switched to OAN. They went deeper into their bubbles, and they dismiss anything others say simply because they'd rather hear the lie than the truth. *sigh* None of us have the answers, that's for sure.
What ever happened to the Fairness Doctrine? Would it even be effective today? Wondering what you think since you worked under it.
Thank you again for all you do and all you've done. You are a credit to your profession.
The role of the independent, professional media is vitally important in a democracy. We have to hope that people who consume the fringe media with their agenda & lies will be attracted again to factual, rational reporting.
I feel that Dan may be too kind - given his journalistic pedigree - to how the media handled DJT from 2015-20. The media consistently fell for the allure of the sensational story, quoting DJT's incessant lies, giving him what he wanted: free publicity. This also gave DJT control of the narrative and a legitimacy he did not deserve. Also, due to their training, journalists got caught up in "both-sides ism" trying to create a balance to stories concerning DJT as POTUS instead of addressing the lies directly.
What a frightening article and equally frightening comments. Perhaps you should try reading some out loud. Change Trump's name to something else and read them to a friend. You don't seem to realise you sound 'cult like' for want of a better word. The truth is out, all the FBI & CIA files. 2016 & the first 2 years of his presidency, FBI, CIA with the democrats focused on destroying DJT. The whole Russia thing was made up. That is a fact! Why? Why wouldn't they just let him do the job? I'm sure he was very colourful in his past life. But you can tell he pulled his socks up to be president. The truth is, DJT loved the job more than any other pres, and it was the people at the rallies that he loved - that's how he changed the party to be about the workers! He worked for free. He knew it would destroy his brand and he did it anyway. Before covid, your economy was the best it ever has been. He handled covid better than any other western country, in Australia we followed Trump. 5 Nobel peace nominations and the miserable media wrote stories about them being worth nothing anyways! Around the world we have watched the most horrific immoral treatment of a human being and his family. Cyber bullying, the media pushing Russian hoax even now! You know he didn't incite violence and anyone with half a brain can see how staged the 'violent rioters' were, polar opposite to the Trump supporters - their videos are of completely different backgrounds. There was so much fraud in that election third world countries were impressed. Americans & Australians used to be allies. Havent you noticed all your allies politely teaming up with japan and just about anyone BUT the US? He did nothing to hurt anyone ( excepts the activists who are upset by everyone) he is more respected around the world than obama or biden will ever be. He is a very decent man who loved serving his country. You have no reason to treat any person like this. You know it's not right, because the only way it makes sense is if 74 million people, many extremely good, wealthy & intelligent people have to some how be brainwashed or racist or sheep.you know that just doesn't fit. Be careful. Around the world we are all worried about you. You're lucky, when you finally figure it out, there will be 74 million patriots ready to fight along side you.
To MommaB: How about some of that "uncommon sense" that used to be more"common?" It requires thinking, that all to rare occurance of the modern age…
Who, what, where, when, and how. The "why" isn't a fact but a judgment.
I miss classical education. A course in logic, a course in civics, a course in government, a course in propaganda, etc. We need to teach our citizens to sort out the overt wording used by the press. Just the facts, please.
Thank you, Mr. Rather. I sent your article to my son who is a political journalist. Your points are well taken and I hope will help him in his work. You are always a voice of reason and calm even when the world is spinning out of control.
Thank you Mr. Rather for your article- always a voice of calm and intelligence in times of chaos. I have forwarded your article to my son, a budding political / investigative journalist as your notes may well help him in his work.
Thank you. But cable news is no longer News. CNN MSNBC and Fox represents Political Parties. Always keeping viewers Angry 24/7 If it’s not news worthy, those reporting will beat that story to death 24/7 until they get what they want. High Ratings. Ass kidding hacks who’s only agenda is Recognition and promotions. It’s all about the 💰 No one reports News anymore.
Except for BBC International News.
the role of the press is to report the truth. periodt. ( not provide gov. check)