I'm currently watching CNN and waiting for the second presidential debate to get underway. While listening to Blitz and the gang discuss what Obama and McCain need to say about the economy and housing market in order to "win" this debate, all I could think of was how much this election has become commercialized and the adverse effect this could have on our nation, and the world. I'm 22 years old and to be honest this is the first time I've ever really paid attention to an election, and I don't like what I'm seeing. The last two debates have been advertised like boxing ads, sound bites rule the perception of the candidates, and misinformation/lies are becoming common place. I know this is politics and that’s how the game is played now, but that does not mean we have to accept the status quo. It is time for the media to take up their place once again as the fourth branch of government. Instead however, when I turn on the TV, whether it is CNN, MSNBC, or even "the fair and balanced" FOX News, all I see is what wrong with politics. Obama stands for change, McCain stands for experience, that is all they're telling me. What ever happened to discussing the candidates' stances on issues and verifying that what both sides are saying is true? You know, the stuff the media is supposed to do. I know Obama wants a national healthcare system. Blitz and the gang have told me that at least a dozen times a week, but what they haven't told me is how Obama proposes to get this done? Who would be covered? What would the estimated cost be? These are questions the media has the resources and responsibility to make sure are answered. Many people would argue though, that talking about the candidates' policies in detail would take up too much time and cause a drop in viewership. There is a simple solution for that, cut out the sound bites and lipstick-on-a-pig controversies and I'm pretty sure they'll find enough time. As for viewership, there was actually a time in this country when people tuned into the news to actually get informed. People used to watch Edward Murrow, Ted Koppel, and Peter Jennings, to get informed and know what was going on in the world around them. Now people just tune in so they can see CNN replay the Tina Fey parody of Palin they missed over the weekend.
One final thought, do you know the difference between The Daily Show and cable news is?
The Daily Show at least knows politics is a joke.
1 comment:
Did you hear? Obama's a MUSLIM! *dramatic music*
The news platform shifting to an almost entirely editorial format is disturbing. Instead of stoic reports we have violent and vocal political pundits. I understand the nature of news as a business is encouraged to sensationalize; The integrity of news casting is lacking like the emperors clothing, leaving us watching with the taste of vomit in our mouths.
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