I wanted to be a journalist. I studied it in school, loved working at the radio station, and I pride myself in my ability to see different sides. It was typical in most schools to drill the concept of objectivity in news coverage. You know, there is no such thing as objectivity - everyone has their own opinion and it is idealistic to think you can report without some type of your opinion leaking in. HOWEVER, there is such a thing as devoting the same amount of time and energy to both sides of a story. If you cover one thing with a positive review - cover the other side in the same attitude and vice versa when criticizing.
This election started to annoy me last year. I was not won over by any candidate and you know those dumb political tests you can take to tell if you are a democrat or republican? Yah, I was ALWAYS neither. I'm a bon-a-fide independent which I consider a blessing because it means I really can vote for who I think is better, regardless of party. Party line politics is a whole other post in itself. I can no longer keep quiet about my annoyance with Obama and his big supporters. I was on the fence most of the last year and my thought was anyone but Hillary, but now I think Hillary would have been a better option. At least she had a plan - had more than accusations and rhetoric. Obama is a fantastic and moving orator, but I am getting the idea that there isn't much more there. He has been gearing for the presidency ever since getting elected to the Senate - they are accusing Sarah Palin of having no experience, but what has he really done? UGH. I am NOT a fan of McCain, but he really has a heck of a lot more going for him than Obama. And I am sick and tired of the COMPLETELY unbalanced news coverage of the two. It makes me ill to see an industry that I wanted to join take such a disappointing turn to cheap shots and obvious support/disdain for one or the other.
Fox News is criticized as being too conservative, but I have to say I won't watch any other news station again. Their mantra is "fair and balanced" and I have to agree they closer to it than any other station.
4 comments:
I would have always thought that the other we get the more we would be able to have mature dialouge with others regarding things like politics and religion. But it seems that the opposite is often true. When I was younger, I wasnt passionate about the "ISSUES", but the older I get, I am more oppinionated and get more worked up.
I am very sad that the media is so obvioulsy one sided. But angry and ashamed at some fellow human beings that fall for it. Do we deserve what we get if we are just going to be a society that cant think for ourselves?
I cant tell you how many times I have been on Snopes.com in the past few months to dispute the tons of un-true emails I get about candidates, etc.
I have some pretty strong feelings against Obama and those who follow him so religiously. I'm not a big McCain fan either, but he's worlds better than Barrack...my husband and I think its sad how divisive politics are. I so hear you on this post! It is sad how there is no objectivity!
PS - I need your email address so that I can add you to my blog! Email me at kellylundy@yahoo.com.
Kelly
Very well put Mary. I completely agree. Lets keep playin phone tag ok!
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