I Cogitate
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State Of The News Media
Yes, deadlines do get in the way and resource materials may not always be easily accessible but the media need to thoroughly examine the what and how of "news" getting into print or on air.
Otherwise, why not just publish press releases?
Why pay some rather large salaries in some cases if the knowledge and expertise of the reporter isn't to be utilized?
Facts are facts and if candidate X said he did such-and-such when the record or the evidence is otherwise, either don't bother presenting such garbage or present candidate X making his original statement, insert that the statement is false and provide the candidate rebuttal time.
Stories about what candidate X said today, period, are not newsworthy, without an accuracy vetting.
This excerpt from the 8/23/04 "The Daily Show," featuring an exchange between Jon Stewart and Rob Corddry, puts it best, as satire works so well:
Jon Stewart: Here's what puzzles me most, Rob. John Kerry's record in Vietnam is pretty much right there in the official records of the U.S. military, and hasn't been disputed for 35 years.top
Rob Corddry: That's right, Jon, and that's certainly the spin you'll be hearing from the Kerry campaign over the next few days.
Jon Stewart: That's not a spin thing, that's a fact. That's established.
Rob Corddry: Exactly, Jon, and that established, incontrovertible fact is one side of the story.
Jon Stewart: But isn't that the end of the story? I mean, you've seen the records, haven't you? What's your opinion?
Rob Corddry: I'm sorry, "my opinion"? I don't have opinions. I'm a reporter Jon, and my job is to spend half the time repeating what one side says, and half the time repeating the other. Little thing called "objectivity"--might want to look it up some day.
Jon Stewart: Doesn't objectivity mean objectively weighing the evidence, and calling out what's credible and what isn't?
Rob Corddry: Whoa-ho! Sounds like someone wants the media to act as a filter! Listen, buddy: Not my job to stand between the people talking to me and the people listening to me.
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