Following the latest outrage to human decency and American democracy perpetrated by neo- fascist existential threat Donald "Rump" Trump, maybe the "false equivalence" "both sides" media need to do some serious self- examination about their role in covering this election. Here are snippets from two articles worth a longer look.
It is at this moment that the news media — American journalists — must embrace a measure of courage and ferocity in order to bring a measure of order and understanding to the chaos. It is time to re-shape our news values to understand the dangers of false equivalency — and to get back in touch with everyday Americans. We need courage not only in our news media, but in our business and civic communities. With the collapse of the newspaper advertising model and the economic pressure on the television news model increasing, we need new business models to create and protect local news.
This is no time for timidity or delay. There is an urgent need for the media to boldly call a spade a spade. It takes no genius of special courage to see the looming threat to American democracy. Its name is Trumpism.Alicia Shepard:
After the 2016 presidential election is over, it will be studied and written about ad infinitum in an attempt to understand it. Key to the voluminous research will be scouring news media coverage. Scholars are sure to ask the journalists, producers, videographers and commentators one soul-searching question:
Are you proud of the way you covered Trump?Rump is an abnormal candidate, completely beyond the pale in terms of temperament, judgement, knowledge and self- control. To willfully soft- pedal or ignore those disqualifying attributes would be a stain on the profession. Who will we see standing up?
BONUS: Here's one amoral POS that won't be standing up.
BONUS II: You can remain seated, too, NBC, New York Times and CNN. Jesus, what assholes.
