Even before Trump took office in 2017, I noted on this blog that the Pink Hat Movement was unprecedented for a not yet inaugurated president. Before too long those feelings were labeled Trump Derangement Syndrome. That term quickly lost favor. With so many people so vehemently opposed to Trump, it became assumed that anybody who felt less or differently must be the one with some psychological disorder.
While some media companies with market share targets took sides before the election, there still remained those journals interested in objectivity. As a lifelong student of media, I found the reaction to Trump fascinating. His opponents, no matter how sophisticated in media/message, have come to believe that they are opposing the devil, and that his end justifies any means.
Prior bastions of journalism, such as the Washington Post and New York Times, have also abandoned objectivity...defeating Trump is now seen as a crusade, a righteous mission.
Yesterday, the Times published a headline that Trump's Southern Strategy of using racism is failing. Two years ago such presumptions of strategy, much less racism, would have only appeared as an opinion piece, if at all. The supposed firewalls between news and opinion apparently no longer exist. A month ago, Senator Tom Cottons' piece calling for Trump to quell the riots resulted in the resignation of the Times opinion page editor.
I don't know what is going to be taught in journalism courses as our colleges attempt to restart. I do know that ideals of objectivity can go into the newspaper museum, right alongside of the old lead letters used to set type.
ADDENDUM: This post was intended only as an observation about the current state of journalism, not as an evaluation of candidate Trump. In addition to molovinsky on allentown, I also publish another blog, Rainy Morning Chronicle. Rainy Morning has a facebook page where I occasionally boost the posts. Facebook, while constantly prompting me to use the paid service, rejected the link to this post.
There is little objectivity. The credibility of the press has been severely damaged. It seems that much of the media now takes its daily talking points from their owners. If they stray off the points, they will be gone.
ReplyDeleteIt is reported that the major media is controlled by just a handful of people. This coordinated attack on this president has been the most vicious in our history. It is very little a debate about the issues, but about personal destruction. The desire is to discredit Trump and to demoralize and marginalize anyone who should support him. We can all find faults in Trump's persona, but his biggest fault to many has been his willingness to question the direction of the country on trade, foreign policy and immigration.
Many are getting very rich on the policies of the last 30 years and desire to keep it that way even at the expense of the country.
It does seem that they are willing to burn the country to the ground, if they believe it will get rid of Trump.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteAny pretense of journalism was dropped four years ago and since then the reporting has become pure propaganda with the events of the day used as framework for creating the anti-Republican, anti-Trump, anti America, anti police, anti evangelical..., racially divisive narrative du jour. Our intellectual betters on the left buy it as gospel, hook, line, and sinker daily. Frankly I only wonder whether it more embarrassing than funny that they are so gullible. What I do know is that this kind of blind faith, to believe such bilge is dangerous. The Democratic Party and much of our intellectual class has become an ugly mob, riled up by new lies daily. They should know better, but they don't want to, they have fully embraced a shared hatred of the "other" and are acting on it. It isn't pretty and will get far worse no matter who wins in the fall.
It is worth noting that those involved in politics as I am, understand many people would like to put Trump bumper stickers on their cars and trucks but don't dare to. They rightfully fear vandalism, who would say they are wrong to? I certainly won't. This is a small taste of what is to come.
Well I do kind of do feel like a brave revolutionary patriot. Call me Nathan Hale, as my commissioner Mobilio tightens the noose around my neck. I put a Trump sign in my front yard.
ReplyDeleteThis year, for the first time in my life a government official has called for my death, by hanging, for being a Trump supporter. Amazing the arrogance of this guy.
I can't wait for when this covid
pandemic will end on Nov 3rd, when the presidential election is over.
This is another first in my life too. This Chinese flu and even helpful cheap medicine politicized. And then financially ruin the nation, state, and cities in order to not let this catastrophe go to waste.
Pure evil does exist.