I understand the vicious competition among media; including the uncontrolled, often unedited and opinion overburdening of non-mainstream bloggers rushing to scoop the mainstream; but I would suggest this is having an effect on the media as severe as television is having on professional and “non-professional” sports entertainment. Add that to the “selling” of degrees to the unqualified and un-motivated – and much more, but that’s enough for now – and it’s not difficult to be concerned.
Trial by media is nothing new, but the competition above is driving it to new and breathtaking heights (or depths). I scan a list of media links every morning and have noted (how brilliant of me) the similarity of the offerings. The GOP “debates” are a case in point, but only one among many. Several of the candidates for nomination have been ruthlessly chopped off at the knees by unproven innuendo, parrotted ubiquitously - that suddenly disappeared when the intent proved successful. You might excuse me if I question allegations - so many similar, and almost continuously - with the same intent. Yes, I know, politics (power) is a dirty business and democratic republicanism hasn’t made it any cleaner than it has always been – and believe me it has always been ruthlessly dirty. But in this day of unbelievably successful communications and BIG money (not only at the top, please, all throughout) one has to question motives, especially when they are never pursued beyond the assassination. Wondering where that money could come from, if in fact there is money passed, and why it might be accepted is futile to contemplate, but impossible to not wonder about.
It has long been said that everyone has his/her price (everyone? no not EVERYONE, but…) and more recently that everything is for sale. The fact that we are awash with available money makes that just that more possible. Temptation is a terrible thing when expectations are as high as they are across the specturm of our society. But media, at least nominally, used to pride themselves on integrity; now, I would contend, that despite their pride in that and desire to continue it, they are being pushed to mix it up – to make money. Blame it on the big ones? Why? the rest of us are pure and innocent? Susceptibility to temptation is not confined to the top.
My most recent example is that of the Italian ship captain whose cruise liner hung up on the rocks. The accusations in the media were reverberating before the rocking of the beached ship even stopped. Was he guilty? I don’t know, and all I have to go on are media reports that, frankly, I automatically resist believing; I do not believe the media – in general – is reliable any longer. Having said that, however, I must admit that I have sources in the media that I have come to trust over the years. I still do, but skeptically; I question everything these days and do my best to arrive at my own opinions by comparing and challenging – or withholding them. It’s quite difficult though, and one reason it is is that many contributors do nothing more in terms of investigating than quoting others – and often the same others – which is not investigation – or research, if you like. But who has time for real research any more with the leaking, gossiping, prevaricating hypocrisy with which all are confronted.
Enough. Suffice it to say that I am disgusted with it all – and very worried at what it portends. I really do feel that I cannot believe or trust any public utterances any more, and I have never before been there.
