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Nice sentiments from Jim Lehrer (I’ve always liked his program) — but the one problem with his statement and the one thing which he doesn’t seem to grasp is that by and large, not even the reporters are really reporters anymore (or at least, not if they work for the MSM). They’ve become little better than public relations people, spin doctors — or worse, propaganda merchants. Admittedly, “yellow journalism” is certainly nothing new — but the journalists who uphold the true ethics of the profession by attempting to report the facts as objectively as possible instead of attempting to manipulate the reader into interpreting the events in a certain way — or not reporting certain events at all for fear of possibly upsetting one or more of the company’s corporate sponsors — seem to be going the way of the dinosaur.

There are far fewer foreign correspondents (too expensive), far too many inconsequential, frivolous, sensational and titillating news reports (the old “if it bleeds, it leads”) and the consolidation of media ownership have all contributed to the steady deterioration of journalism and consequently, a poorly informed public — open the doors to the likes of Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, et al.

Though that is only partial truth, as for the Consumers/Readers of Blog and Search Engine goes they are getting much diverse opinion than PBS’s news hour.

Also, even with being “Reporter” – and throw decades of experience in it- Majority of “Reporter” has failed miserably from Iraq, Abhu Gahreb, Gitmo, Water boarding, Iraq withdrawl, Housing bubble.
And still failing to bring correct perspective to serious topics like Iran, presidential election..and so on.

Other media, like PBS (which broadcasts Jim Lehrer’s NewsHour) are non-profit. With no stock price to worry about, the focus can be on accuracy, relevance, and objectivity instead of sensationalism.

Jim Lehrer is right. While sheeple flock to news sites where they can be entertained, there will always be enough people who want real news. It’s these people who will ensure there will always be a place for the Jim Lehrers of the world.

Comment by missmolly — November 6, 2007 @ 2:02 pm

Lehrer will always have a place. However, he is not a journalist. Nor does he speak with acuity about the internets, the medias, or how diverse individuals (professionals and not) use different platforms.

When you interview a Wolfowitz or a Cheney, but fail to ask the obvious questions, the role Lehrer plays is called into question.

Journalism requires research, and reporting, and in multiple cases, Lehrer’s trademark is in not performing either function. Lehrer’s function is to refrain from asking pertinent questions. He then uses his famed ‘civility’ as a guise–because IT is the real product.

The story of the NewsHour, unfortunately, is inthe questions that are not asked. The research not performed. And ultimately, Jim Lehrer is complicit in Bush’s policies, in the direction teh country has taken, and in the resulting damage.

A ‘civility’ that substitutes for real reporting, and that precludes digging deep enough, is the worst sort of incivility. It is a costly breach of trust, a violation.

Jim Lehrer has every opportunity for years to pursue critical stories and ask the right questions. Far too often, his MO is the abdication of that role, which constantly softens the political costs of Bush’s illegitimate policies. Facilitating David Brooks’ RNC spin-laced fabrications will earn him a special place in hell, made easier to bear by not having to listen to Mark Shields mumble along without laying into the meat of an issue.

Comment by missmolly — November 6, 2007 @ 1:44 pm

“There are some things up with which I will not put!”
—Winston Churchill

There is the false idea bandied about that civility trumps a warranted outrage.

Civility is misused to police dissent and paper over the oh-so-civilly conducted substantive betrayal of responsibility by the likes of Lehrer.

Citing or calling for civility to enforce submission or coerce obedience to an illegitimate tyranny is a rationalization complicit in the abuse of power.

That’s exclusively what I watch (tivo’d) when I’m on the elliptical trainer… that and Cobert.

Even when I’m pushing 160bpm and up, I know I’ll still have a smile on my face.

Faux News is for the professional wrestling crowd.

Ann Coulter, 04/10/03

Comment by finallyinsf — November 6, 2007 @ 2:14 pm

This sounds like Coultergeist. By saying this, she implies 1) that only liberals champion free speech, 2) that there was some period of time where only liberals had a “microphone”, and 3) that liberals are against anybody besides them having a right to freedom of speech.

None of these is true, of course. But as Coulter has figured out (indeed, it’s the tentpole of her career), a strawman such as this doesn’t need to have any basis in fact. Set up strawman, knock it down, act as if you have somehow scored points against the evil liberals.

But Ann Coulter isn’t a reporter, she’s a commentator. She’s part of the sensationalist “news as entertainment” crowd.

Well said.

I’ve been a viewer of NewsHour for decades now.

It’s news and opinion minus the bullshit.

Melanie Morgan got herself permanently banned from NH because her hackery and venom in not acceptable in that format.

That means that don’t mind losing the eyeballs of the red-state, Reich-wingnuts in order to maintain legitimacy, unlike most of commercial teevee.

Yeah David Brock is an ass and that’s why Mark Shields often rips him a new one.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/06/business/media/06msnb.html?ex=1195016400&en=e2ed41f168e7de8e&ei=5065&partner=MYWAY

I recommend shows like Lightning Strikes at Blog Talk Radio (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lightningstrikes) for a fresh take on news, entertainment, and technology from media personalities, from a voice not afraid to talk about touchy issues. In fact, on November 12th they’ll be featuring Robert Jensen, author of “Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity” as well as “The Heart of Whiteness: Confronting Race, Racism and White Privilege”- two books focusing on issues that are refused mainstream national attention but I am curious to hear about. Opening up dialogues about gender roles and race (especially white privilege) is a necessary step toward change and growth- and it’s happening only in new media!

listening to ed schults while driving yesterday… he was ranting about the latest report (what i posted above)… and that martin has stepped up the schedule to november… this guy is out to strangle whatever hold the people have on the truth…
he needs to be stopped.

you can help.
Tell the FCC: No More Media Consolidation!
Contact your Representative
.

Comment by Lefty Patriot — November 6, 2007 @ 1:46 pm

Hah! You want to see pain, watch him try to SPELL it.

Comment by hits — November 6, 2007 @ 1:03 pm

Some media are strictly about making a profit. They don’t care about what stories they report (or, in some cases, how accurately they are reported), as long as people flock to watch.

Other media, like PBS (which broadcasts Jim Lehrer’s NewsHour) are non-profit. With no stock price to worry about, the focus can be on accuracy, relevance, and objectivity instead of sensationalism.

Jim Lehrer is right. While sheeple flock to news sites where they can be entertained, there will always be enough people who want real news. It’s these people who will ensure there will always be a place for the Jim Lehrers of the world.

“our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.” T. Jefferson

A press that is free to investigate and criticize the government is absolutely essential in a nation that practices self-government and is therefore dependent on an educated and enlightened citizenry. On the other hand, newspapers too often take advantage of their freedom and publish lies and scurrilous gossip that could only deceive and mislead the people.

We used to have laws that told the media they had to have public service news or something like that …but the corporate cronies did away with that. Who wants truth and facts when lies and innuendos fear and hate sell better?

We need to get rid of this overriding corporate influence throughout America. It is warping us and our future in the name of today’s bottom line.

.

Really? Someone tell Judge Walton – he of Scooter Libby fame – who ruled pre-trial that Firedoglake should be granted journalistic rights to report on the case.

Blogger is a term, simply, for someone who writes a blog.

Some report, some commentate, some satirize, some just post pictures. But importantly, some do report – TPM, Firedoglake, Raw Story, Iraqslogger, Michael Yon off the top of my head. Some do it full-time, some do it some of the time.

But to reach blanket a conclusion that bloggers do not report is stupid. Counterfactually, were Lehrer correct, that would mean that any reporter that wrote a blog would have to stop calling himself a reporter. Because bloggers don’t report, you know.