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The Media At Large - A Joke, A Dinosaur, Or Both?

The media has been amazing me more and more the last year. Good reporting seems to have disappeared on the major networks and in the major newspapers, replaced by tabloid journalism that strives to either further an agenda, or entertain.

It exists in many different places, but the most glaring recently is the political coverage of the two major parties' presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Whether you like one side or the other, you have got to admit that the press has generally been favoring one side over another. I think that the straw finally broke my back when a reporter wanted to know if Sarah Palin, vice presidential candidate for the Republicans, was still breastfeeding. The reporter was trying to work on an angle to "show" how Palin wouldn't be able to fulfill her obligations as VP if she was utilizing so much of her time as a mother (I think I'll be writing another blog about THAT).

At one point in the past (a point which is getting hazier as we go), reporters prided themselves on publishing the FACTS, and bringing true NEWS to the public. I think that era is gone.

It's unfortunate... but the American public seems to understand how ridiculous the media has become. Ratings have been consistently falling, and readership in major newspapers is falling like a rock tossed into a deep lake.

Any thoughts on your part are welcome.

Posted by Bill Kennedy - Greenville SC Realtor on 09/06/2008 07:55 PM

Comments (12)

sarah palin, vice president, president, republicans, democrats, presidential election

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12 Comments on The Media At Large - A Joke, A Dinosaur, Or Both?

I vote JOKE. The media thrives on controversary and therefore create controversary for the attention. I think it's all hype. They try to make it OK by not calling themselves reporters (ones who actually report the news) but by calling themselves news analysists. Well, it's not OK with me

09/06/2008 08:02 PM

by Patrick Lambert (Century 21 All Islands)

I agree wholeheartedly. The media today for the most part is a disgrace. Their agenda is not to report but rather to present their positions and opinions as fact. This is not news reporting but rather an editorial.

09/06/2008 08:06 PM

by Jim Albano and Jean-Marie Vantuno North Jersey Real Estate Team/ Realtors® (Prudential Damiano Realty )

The mainstream media in my mind is a lot like propaganda. They have an agenda and they stick to it. The people that watch actually believe what the TV is telling them. It's like a very creative form of mind control. The TV may be the greatest weapon ever created. It tells us what to think. Brilliant. www.vizionkc.com

09/06/2008 08:32 PM

by Justin Ukaoma : Kansas City Real Estate & Investing (Vizion KC)

Justin, good point. We sit in front of our TVs hoping to be informed, when we're actually manipulated. That's one reason I have sworn off watching TV news broadcasts. I'll stick to my mindless comedies, and allow myself to get zombi-fied on the Office and Big Bang Theory. ;-)

09/06/2008 08:37 PM

by Bill Kennedy - Greenville SC Realtor (Keller Williams Realty Greenville Central)

I don't watch to new or pay much attention to this stuff...but when I do it makes me laugh.

09/06/2008 08:46 PM

by Chuck Carstensen (Re/max Associates Plus/The Discovery Coach)

Chuck - I agree. I think the public in general is getting fed up and they can see through most of the stupidity.

09/06/2008 08:48 PM

by Bill Kennedy - Greenville SC Realtor (Keller Williams Realty Greenville Central)

Hi Bill, Well, I guess I'm going to be the odd man out on this one. I listen/watch MSNBC and Bryan WIlliams. I see very objective reporting and very balanced coverage. What does bother me is how " one of the major parties : ( you know which one ) is using the old Karl Rove strategy to blame the media for everything. Maybe Palin should do a real interview and have to answer for some of the distortions used in her recent speech. Which, by the way, was written for Lieberman because the party bosses chose Palin at the last minute, hence sloppy vetting !

09/06/2008 08:49 PM

by Bill Gillhespy Fort Myers Beach Realtor (Century 21 Tripower Realty)

Opinions obviously vary, but I don't think that the media is blamed as a "smokescreen" for anything. I think it just smarts when the media is called on the carpet for tabloid journalism. However, Bill, I do look forward to watching Palin do some interviews and especially the VP debate.

09/06/2008 08:54 PM

by Bill Kennedy - Greenville SC Realtor (Keller Williams Realty Greenville Central)

Like in everything else ( our industry also ) there is good and there is bad. Its sad for the reporters who are

objective but like in real estate we take the good with the bad and need to just learn to filter out the obscene

and crazy stuff

09/06/2008 08:59 PM

by June J. Lewis,Realtor New CastlePa Lawrence Co. (Northwood Realty Services)

June, that was well put. There are obviously those in media who are above average, and those who are down in the dumps. Thanks for the comment.

09/06/2008 09:04 PM

by Bill Kennedy - Greenville SC Realtor (Keller Williams Realty Greenville Central)

The media is so full of itself they think we really care what they think. Much like the candidates and the promises they make we all know they will forget them as soon as they get elected.

09/06/2008 09:12 PM

by Terry Westbrook ~ Realtor(R) Grand Rapids Mi Ada/Cascade Real Estate (Five Star Real Estate, LLC Grand Rapids , MI)

Ok Bill, do you remember the days of being at a crime scene, the media showing up, then when you saw the article or heard it on the radio, you weren't sure they were at the same scene you were? I remember that, from my old police work days. It may have been a horrific crime, but the news had to make it an even more exciting angle. Good post.

List and Sell (and MSNBC is slanted to the left) Gary @ RentonHomeFinder

09/07/2008 01:12 AM

by Gary McNinch Renton WA Real Estate (Keller Williams SES Renton )

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