You can purchase an autographed copy of Anything But Straight by sending a $35 check or money order to:
-------------------------
Wayne Besen
PO Box 25491
Brooklyn, NY 11202
In April, I wrote a column blasting networks, particularly CNN, for producing nonsense disguised as news.
"I used to watch CNN Headline News and in thirty minutes I was updated on the day's incipient events. Today, the morning show is nearly devoid of substance and has devolved into the Cackling Nonsense Network. The consequential decisions of world leaders have taken a back seat to what or who Britney Spears does in the backseat. Headlines have been replaced by punch lines and serious business has been supplanted by lightweight banter. By the end of a half hour show, the chances are you have laughed more than you have learned."
I got a huge response from readers who were also frustrated by the explosion of drivel-driven news. Finally, Ted Turner - the founder of CNN - has spoken up and questioned the downward spiral of news content that infects today's airwaves. At an event honoring the 25th year of CNN, Turner told employees:
"I would like to see us to return to a little more international coverage on the domestic feed and a little more environmental coverage, and, maybe, maybe a little less of the pervert of the day. You know, we have a lot of perverts on today, and I know that, but is that really news? I mean, come on. I guess you've got to cover Michael Jackson, but not three stories about perversion that we do every day as well."
I know it is important for Americans to win, and as a person who is competitive I always strive to come out on top. However, if you win the news ratings battle by eliminating news content, can you really be considered victorious? In my book, you are a big loser, even if you come in first place, if you are catapulted by a cattle call of convicts and creeps.
News divisions should only be considered true winners if they are victorious in the categories of respectability and trustworthiness, rather than simply ratings achieved by sinking to the lowest common denominator. Fox's Republican ranting may get ratings, but no fair-minded person respects their partisan product.
This is important because democracy depends on an informed citizenry. We saw the disaster that took place when President Bush was able to trick a majority of Americans into believing that Saddam Hussein was responsible for the 9-11 terrorist attacks. He was only able to do this because the compliant media did not do their jobs and challenge the president.
Ted Turner is right. America needs less ridiculous repartee and more robust reporting. We need less silliness and more seriousness in network news. Only a media disseminating the truth can keep America from plunging into conflicts like Iraq. They failed us, and now this nation suffers dearly. It is time to change the news paradigm in America.
4 Comments:
Let us pray that news stops the crap they are putting on. I've been forced to watch the BBC, and I can't even understand what they are saying half the time. But the other half of the time, I get real news.
posted by Anonymous, at
6/03/2005 4:49 PM
Would you slimey liberals stop blasting Fox. It is important that Fox exists becasue it balances liberal propaganda.
BBC is good, but I urge all of you to start listening to Air America Radio (check out their website). If you dont get it on a local AM station, it's well worth the investment to get an XM satellite radio. The station number is 167. Al Franken, Randi Rhodes and many other intelligent progressive people have talk shows here and you'll get the REAL news! As for Val in GA, Jesus was a liberal pacifist, I guess you think he was 'slimey' too! Gary in NJ
posted by Anonymous, at
6/04/2005 11:08 AM
