The Dog Who Claimed to be a Turtle
Chris Messina points what I’ve long considered a fundamental flaw in the News Industry. It’s subjective. This wouldn’t be a problem except for the fact the game is based on everyone believing the News Industry presents an objective lens through which to view the world. They’re not. Chris gives his example to explain a slightly different point, but his example is not much different than the one I gave in my post “Pick Your Own Adventure Media.”
Suppose some may protest that these folks are professional, and trained to be objective. It’s bullshit. They’re trained, and professional, but not to be objective. That’s kinda like training a dog to be a turtle. It ain’t gonna happen. The News Industry doesn’t so much report the news as they shape the news, or frame the news, to use a word currently in vogue. The News Industry define perspective and focus awareness. Again, this wouldn’t be such a problem if everyone simply said we’re biased, but they don’t, and it’s a shame because their power to mold opinions and create problems is immense. I see it as an issue of integrity, or a lack of it.