Today’s Media Not What It Used to Be
To the Editor:
In the October 17 response letter to “Unity & Understanding,” the writer said that the “lame weak media” is assisting the Democratic Party in destroying America.
Today’s media world includes the Trump Media and Technology Group that owns Truth Social, an alternative to mainstream and social media platforms. At this site, there are fewer restrictions on content, and it is designed for conservative voices. Truth Social features Mar-a-Lago that invites you to lavish parties at the Florida resort. There, you can support President Trump’s agenda and presumably win White House favor.
Former President Lyndon Johnson owned media, which he put in a trust to avoid conflict of interest while he was in office.
Among those media known to favor President Trump’s policies are Fox News and its outlets; Newsmax with its slogan, “The Right Side of the News;” and One America Network.
The latter site has settled lawsuits over claims of spreading conspiracy theories and false election claims. It is the only media organization out of 30 to accept the new policy at the Pentagon for reporters. This new policy gives the military board control over what media outlets can publish about defense matters. Reporters can only use information that has been authorized by the Pentagon. If they don’t sign this pledge, President Trump will revoke their credentials to cover the world’s most powerful military. This is a sharp departure from the Pentagon’s approach to press relations, according to the Reuters news organization, which calls this a threat to press freedom.
Except for President Trump’s agenda on tariffs and foreign policy, the Wall Street Journal usually complies with the president’s policies, However, the Wall Street Journal has ripped President Trump for his prosecution of John Bolton, former diplomat and Republican consultant who has been critical of the president.
Mainstream media is being pressured by the White House for criticism of the president. CBS cancelled Jimmy Kimmel Live! because the comedian host criticized the president. However, public outcry brought the program back.
The response letter of Oct. 17 to “Unity & Understanding” said Democrats have “hijacked the press.” For citizens of either party, it’s important to research journalists responsible for any important information: Do they have a bachelor’s degree in journalism?
Do they work in a creditable news organization and have press credentials?
Do they have strong writing, communication skills?
Are they non-partisan? Do they have perspectives to report both sides of the story?
CBS Chief Legal Correspondent Jan Crawford spoke to the Texas Press Association October 13 about the conduct of the press. She noted that rather than objectivity, fairness, good judgement and most importantly getting it right, today’s media coverage is driven by biases, fury over the outcome of decisions, pressure from news organizations to put forth a narrative for clicks or subscribers or views or ratings for their brands.
She said, “This new media and some of the new reporters aren’t as interested in getting it right anymore, which means journalism is not what it used to be. And in my view that is not for the better. I think in many quarters objectivity has been replaced by activism, and that is not our role….And that is not the kind of journalism that is so important that our framers deemed a free press the first amendment to our constitution.”
Virginia Leech La Grange