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| Joe Bakewell. |
THE FOURTH ESTATE
When I was
young, all these many years ago, the media consisted of newspapers, radio, and
weekly magazines. Collectively, they were referred to as the ‘fourth estate’,
meaning that they were considered to be an informal fourth branch of government
with the mission of holding the other three accountable to the public.
Investigative and in-depth reporting, and analysis were common. There was no
such thing as a 24 hour news cycle. Some subjects took months to prepare.
They were, of
course, biased and partisan, but people felt informed and willing to offer
their own opinions. They argued and listened to each other. It was a form of
recreation. I doubt that many minds were changed but people looked forward to
getting together again.
Today,
television dominates our media, but more than that has changed. I hear words
like: divisiveness; polarity; many other invective terms; even hatred.
Arguments are heated and unpleasant. People avoid talking about what’s really
on their minds.
What’s changed?
In no order of importance here’s a few:
The media
world is dominated by large corporations. That means cost control.
The attention
span of individuals is much shorter and is continuing to shorten.
80% of media
people are liberal, by their own say so.
The
motivation system in place for our politicians consists primarily of special
interest money.
Our high
schools, colleges and universities are bastions of political correctness. Free
speech is out the window. Any discussion stays within ‘bounds’ or punishment is
immediate and often violent. It’s from this pool of ‘educated’ individuals that
our future leaders and media mavens will be drawn.
In this
piece, I wish to comment on the 80% liberal media situation. Most of my friends
are liberal/progressive. Many of them celebrate the 80%, thinking that it’s
only right; we’ve been trying for years to convert those (fill in your own
word) out there.
I believe
it’s a problem for liberals:
It doesn’t
represent our population.
It makes news
gathering and presentation very competitive—too many media people competing for
the same audience leading to increased stridency and exaggeration of trivia.
It gives
liberals a false sense of confidence in their cause.
It raises
resentment and resistance in conservatives.
Joe Bakewell.
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