Don, thank you. We stopped watching corporate media as of Election Day 2024, however, our consumption was slipping the last few years. We were down to 30 minutes or less each day, some days barely a few minutes. While we know there are still some good journalists on air, we were so turned off by what was being offered. We have embraced independent media and journalists and feel that is the platform for now and the future.
Although the demise of the media shifted into much higher gears since Trump grabbed power again (he only won the election because of a horrible combination of voter suppression and massive lying, so that's a power grab, not a "fair and square" victory), I'm afraid that much of it has been going on for years already.
The reporting in the NYT and on CNN during last summer's campaign has been horrible. Dana Bash's interview of Harris was absolutely disgusting. She didn't come up with ANY original question at all. REAL journalism means first studying the facts, researching their history and complexity, looking at which issues will land on the president's desk soon and what the options are. Then you select the issues that are most relevant for "we the people", EXPLAIN the context to the viewer, and then ask the candidate what solution she prefers and why. And you give her the time to explain why.
Instead, Bash ONLY threw out fake Trump tweet after tweet, asking Harris to do HER job, namely refuting them. It was the easiest interview in the world, from the perspective of a journalist. A 4th-grader would have done a better job (because he'd probably be a BIT more interested in the answers and a bit less cynical).
"Journalism" today is all about the horse race, when it comes to US politics (especially in election years) and clickbait headlines (read: headlines copy-pasting fake Trump tweets). That's how, a few days before Nov 5, half of the country STILL didn't know that Biden/Harris had created the strongest economy in the world and that Trump was a fake and utterly flawed businessman (aside from being immoral, having no character, and being a fascist).
Trump would NEVER have won if the media had done their job.
Don, In the early 70’s I took a college class entitled, Mass Media and Society. I can still remember before there was television there was radio and that the FCC was the federal agency which was created to protect the “public” airwaves. That the networks had duties and responsibilities for renewing their licenses. The “Fairness Doctrine” was once part of that process. After Reagan, the FCC and Congress enacted changes that, in my view has greatly contributed to our present situation. I am still of the belief that the airways belong to the people and that legislation needs to enacted to bolster that precept, and that no amount of money can take it away from the people.
This is happening to me right now. Not figuratively. Literally. Threatened, silenced, manipulated and contacted by “E bots.” Please share. I am done being silenced.
So here is exactly what I am referring to. Trolling with threats of physical violence. Please help me make @Paul famous. Hacking my phone with threats is a waste of my time.
Thank God for you Don and the other journalists trying to keep the truth alive. Only person I watch on tv is Rachel Maddow now. I keep up with you and Joy the most because I know you both care about the people. I pray we all make it through this craziness.
Thank you Don, for saying out loud what we 🖤💚💛🤎💙are all thinking. I love reading your words of intellect, inspiration and wisdom♥️. Today I say, YES…Our #GoodTrouble ancestors are with us!!!
Nailed it. When everything is for sale and is sold what else is left? What’s the plan? This country has been sold to the highest bidder. America is facing an unprecedented crisis. We’re watching America become everything they said they weren’t. If yours black you already knew it was BS. 😂
Thank God for independent journalists and journalism! And thank you, Don, for being the unafraid, unintimidated truth-teller that you are--you do bring sanity to the rest of us!
Don, thank you. We stopped watching corporate media as of Election Day 2024, however, our consumption was slipping the last few years. We were down to 30 minutes or less each day, some days barely a few minutes. While we know there are still some good journalists on air, we were so turned off by what was being offered. We have embraced independent media and journalists and feel that is the platform for now and the future.
Thx. Truth
So well written Don, you are absolutely right. THANK YOU FOR SAYING IT OUT LOUD!!!
Well said Don!
Although the demise of the media shifted into much higher gears since Trump grabbed power again (he only won the election because of a horrible combination of voter suppression and massive lying, so that's a power grab, not a "fair and square" victory), I'm afraid that much of it has been going on for years already.
The reporting in the NYT and on CNN during last summer's campaign has been horrible. Dana Bash's interview of Harris was absolutely disgusting. She didn't come up with ANY original question at all. REAL journalism means first studying the facts, researching their history and complexity, looking at which issues will land on the president's desk soon and what the options are. Then you select the issues that are most relevant for "we the people", EXPLAIN the context to the viewer, and then ask the candidate what solution she prefers and why. And you give her the time to explain why.
Instead, Bash ONLY threw out fake Trump tweet after tweet, asking Harris to do HER job, namely refuting them. It was the easiest interview in the world, from the perspective of a journalist. A 4th-grader would have done a better job (because he'd probably be a BIT more interested in the answers and a bit less cynical).
"Journalism" today is all about the horse race, when it comes to US politics (especially in election years) and clickbait headlines (read: headlines copy-pasting fake Trump tweets). That's how, a few days before Nov 5, half of the country STILL didn't know that Biden/Harris had created the strongest economy in the world and that Trump was a fake and utterly flawed businessman (aside from being immoral, having no character, and being a fascist).
Trump would NEVER have won if the media had done their job.
I’m scared Don, you’re my sanity these days! Thank you 🙏 💙
Don, you hit the nail on the head. Thank you for speaking out. I’m so grateful for SUBSTACK!!!
Outstanding! Truth Be Told!
Don, In the early 70’s I took a college class entitled, Mass Media and Society. I can still remember before there was television there was radio and that the FCC was the federal agency which was created to protect the “public” airwaves. That the networks had duties and responsibilities for renewing their licenses. The “Fairness Doctrine” was once part of that process. After Reagan, the FCC and Congress enacted changes that, in my view has greatly contributed to our present situation. I am still of the belief that the airways belong to the people and that legislation needs to enacted to bolster that precept, and that no amount of money can take it away from the people.
This is happening to me right now. Not figuratively. Literally. Threatened, silenced, manipulated and contacted by “E bots.” Please share. I am done being silenced.
So here is exactly what I am referring to. Trolling with threats of physical violence. Please help me make @Paul famous. Hacking my phone with threats is a waste of my time.
Thank God for you Don and the other journalists trying to keep the truth alive. Only person I watch on tv is Rachel Maddow now. I keep up with you and Joy the most because I know you both care about the people. I pray we all make it through this craziness.
I love your writing. Thank You for being the one that’s here for us❤️
Great piece! We are beyond crisis now. Hubby and I are actively making exit plans right now!
💯 Don! So glad to have you for independent news with truth and facts! Thank you!!
Thank you Don, for saying out loud what we 🖤💚💛🤎💙are all thinking. I love reading your words of intellect, inspiration and wisdom♥️. Today I say, YES…Our #GoodTrouble ancestors are with us!!!
Nailed it. When everything is for sale and is sold what else is left? What’s the plan? This country has been sold to the highest bidder. America is facing an unprecedented crisis. We’re watching America become everything they said they weren’t. If yours black you already knew it was BS. 😂
Thank God for independent journalists and journalism! And thank you, Don, for being the unafraid, unintimidated truth-teller that you are--you do bring sanity to the rest of us!
Well said. And you are an awesome writer!