by YAW

Created on: August 12, 2008

A need for Mass Media revolution in the United States Today

It was in 1953 that noted newsman Edward R. Murrow spoke of the decadence and complacency within the media in the United States. Murrow did not only talk, but, spoke truth to power and won. Fifty five years later, and the general state of the media is appalling. Is this gradual decadence by design, or, is it that hard news has become a form of entertainment, rather than a means for public information and discourse? News directors, producers and editors need to rethink their strategy. If the gatekeepers in the media across the United States continue along this downward spiral, it will be at the peril of the citizens of the country.

The mass media which is called the Forth Estate should quickly return to that role before it loses its place in society. This Fourth Estate, as you know, is a check against authority including the government. It should always without exception speak truth to power, even at the risk of being labeled unpatriotic. The general public obtains information from the news media which is expected to be credible. Citizens need information to make daily decisions. The citizenry also need to make informed decisions on how to vote in elections. If the general populace is not informed, how are they expected to make educated decisions that impact their lives?

One of the tenets of journalism is to report the truth without rancor or favor. Some "news" organizations across the United States need to level with the public and inform whether they are news organizations or political propaganda arms for respective political parties. This is where the Federal Communications Commission, FCC, has a role. It is illegal under the constitution of the United States for organizations to front as news and media outlets when their prime objective to that of propagandizing a political party's message. The FCC should not be in the business of censoring media outlets, but, it should fine and or close those organizations that pretend to be news agencies. A true journalist's journalistic skills rise above his or her political persuasions and ideologies. It is also above other conflicts of interest of any kind. An objective of the journalist is to report the truth and be fair to all and sundry. If this nation is to be saved, journalists in the United States need to return to the days of Murrow and company.

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