June is one of those months each year in which the way the days fall ensures that we will have not two, but three Fridays on which to present our awards for excellence* in ass clownery. Two weeks have gone by since our last award, and it's time to present our choice for
The Left-Cheek Ass Clown
for
June, 2017
and the award goes - for the second time - to
The News Media
I have made no secret of the fact that I believe Donald Trump is completely unfit to be president, and that his presidency is a disaster of the first magnitude for the nation and the world. However, I am appalled at the way Donald Trump and his administration been covered by the news media, both from the traditional ("mainstream") and the "alternative" side. My concern with the "mainstream" media is its rush to report every scrap of negative information without waiting for verification or context, a rush driven by the need to fill up all 24 hours of the broadcast day while beating competing outlets. My concern with the "alternative" media is the mirror image of my problem with the "mainstream" - the immediate and mindless willingness of conservative outlets to slavishly support the Trump administration without question, no matter how outrageous or indefensible its actions.
And to make things worse, the award-winning shortcomings of the media are amplified by the unwillingness of many Americans to take the time to properly evaluate the news they're getting - from whatever outlets they choose - and make informed, rational decisions.
Ladies and gentlemen, Dear Readers, The News Media, left and right, mainstream and alternate, is named our Left-Cheek Ass Clown for June, 2017.
And that's a tragedy for a nation that needs clear, rational news reporting more than ever.
Have a good day. Come back tomorrow for Cartoon Saturday ... more thoughts then.
Bilbo
* You should pardon the expression.
A worthy recipient.
ReplyDeleteProperly evaluating the news these days is a full time (plus overtime) job.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely part of the problem.
ReplyDeleteThe WaPo's slogan, Democracy Dies in Darkness" fails to take into account that they contribute to the murkiness.
ReplyDeleteThe news media is polarized to the point of being nonobjective.
ReplyDeleteThey deserve it, unfortunately. The Public is complicit to a degree, but better journalism, especially television, is badly needed. The 24 hour news cycle's needs have created a cultural monster.
ReplyDeleteWe get more news now, but little confidence.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes. I too think our president is eminently unsuited and unfit for that office, but he deserves fair and impartial treatment from the respectable media. There are those who make no serious claim to b objective and they can do as they please to incite the people and spread false news. But the so called respectable media have lost their compass. Get it back or we have lost a real treasure for a republic.
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