This is a theme I’m kind of developing. Right now these are almost random thoughts. More to come, I hope.
Earlier this week, the Daily Caller blog brought to light an interesting story. It seems that members of a liberal listserv known as Journolist conspired to kill the story of Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s racist rants during the 2008 Presidential campaign. You can read the full story here: http://dailycaller.com/2010/07/20/documents-show-media-plotting-to-kill-stories-about-rev-jeremiah-wright/.
For most people in the country, even those who lean to the left themselves, this really comes as no surprise. Except to the journalists themselves. Many apparently believe that their views are the only correct opinions and that anyone who disagrees is not only wrong, but evil.
Some, however, know exactly what they are producing – propaganda to further the cause of liberal progressivism. Once President Obama was elected, a good part of this group thought it was safe to come out of the closet. A famous example was Newsweek’s cover editorial in February 2009, We Are All Socialists Now. If you’ve forgotten, here’s a link: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2009/02/11/big-lie-newsweek-claims-cover-we-are-all-socialists-now
Main stream “news” these days consists of happenings of the day reported from the view of the left, polls taken by the news agencies themselves to back up what they already think, and puff-piece interviews that make the interviewee look good. Charlie Rangel was caught off guard when Luke Russert (son of the late Tim Russert) of NBC asked the hard-hitting questions. Rangle couldn’t believe it when Russert said he was from MSNBC. See the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s07eOyUeMFc
Enter the new media: internet, talk radio and cable TV. Mainstream journalists pooh pooh them, but the professionals and amateurs in these media do their homework and report what they find. You still have to read or listen with a critical mind-set, because here, too, there is bias. However, the bias is usually open; they tell you straight out which side they are on.
We have come full circle, back to the 18th century, when anyone with an opinion and access to a press could write news and commentary. And they weren’t worried about being objective, news and opinion were right out in the open. John Adams was accused in the news – not the editiorial section – of being a monarchist, wanting to put the new country back under the thumb of King George. Jefferson was accused of wanting to bring the French-style of revolution to America. (See this article: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/horseraceblog/2010/07/whats_so_bad_about_the_journol_1.html )
In my opinion, we all NEED to be journalists now. We can’t let the left put us back in the dark little box where only their ideas get in. We need a free and open media where ALL sides can express themselves and the listener can make up his or her own mind.
There can be no liberty without a free press. There can be no liberty without free debate. There can be no liberty without an educated and informed populace.
Do your homework. Don’t believe anyone just because of who they are or where they work. (Just because it’s on TV doesn’t mean it is automatically true.) Inform yourself and speak out!
Here are a couple more links if you like:
http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2010/07/20/journolist-jeremiah-wright-and-groucho-marx/
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_072010/content/01125107.guest.html
