The News: Fact or Fabrication

An Editorial
 

As the 2008 Presidential election unfolds in the United States, the focus seems to be less on the unadulterated facts and more on splashy headlines that have tenuous affiliations, if any, with the information in the articles and catchy 3-minute video clips. The repetitive airing, selective editing, and endless analyzation easily cause a skewed view of events. It used to be only the worst tabloids did such things, and people laughed at them, but now, mainstream news operates this way, and people tune into it. It is irresponsible journalism.

Unfortunately, some people don’t read past the misleading headlines. They become confused by the delusion that is created by all the hype. This is a sobering thought when one considers this is how many people get their information that they will use to decide who will be the next President of the Unites States. We need a responsible news media that will sacrifice their opinions to give us the facts.

Many news sources are more editorial- and opinion-based than straight-forward presentations of the facts. It is difficult to find information that isn’t slanted to favor one side or another. Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC “Hardball,” said in a recent Associated Press article, “My job is to provide excitement and bring it into the show….” This is a telling statement. It reveals the stance from which most news programming is operating, namely, one of entertainment, not impartial facts. As a result, most of the media is probably more interested in rating numbers than objectivity, and that is why there is so much emotional sensationalism in the news.

People need to see past the illusion the media creates, and not allow themselves to be manipulated through their emotions. Logically, anything that involves hidden agendas and manipulation cannot bring about results which are good for the whole because it arises from selfish motivations that have no regard for the whole. Instead, if the media continues to operate in this way, people should express their dissatisfaction and turn it off. When they unquestioningly allow themselves to be taken in by it, they assume the media’s negative karma by unconsciously agreeing to, participating in, and perpetuating this behavior.

Editors

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