Journalism isn’t what it used to be. Some will argue the
press has always been rife with a one-sided approach to the news. It’s hard to
argue against the contention.
I was taught as a journalism student we are the watch dogs
of government. We are to remain outside
the lure of the powerful. We are to escape the temptation of allowing our
personal agendas to rise to the surface in a way that questions the integrity
of what we report.
Over the years, I’ve been driven to protect John Stuart
Mills views related to the “market place of ideas”. In “On Liberty”, Mills
challenged people to think about protecting the rights of others to speak as a
way to enhance the way we all think. His views are reflected in our nation’s
Constitution. We all have the freedom to speak. The press is free to use that
speech to protect democracy.
It all works to advance the will of every citizen. Of course,
anyone who has studied history knows the Constitution was designed to protect
the rights of white men.
I became a journalist because I believe in the truth. I know
there are different version of the truth based on how culture and context mold
the interpretation. When writing for the Durham Herald-Sun, the paper gave me
the tag “Kenney, the voice of many” as a way to emphasize my propensity to piss
everyone off at some point along the way.
It was, and is, my passion for the truth that keeps me off the
invite list of those enamored with political games. Put another way, I’m not
looking for friends. I want to expose the truth.
This has become my problem with the press. I tend to write
columns that display the stories others have failed to address. I’m acutely
aware of the bias that often shows up. It’s there due to the minimal voices of
people who look and think like me. The media has a way of discounting the
angles of those committed to the other side of the marketplace of ideas.
Which leads me to my frustration. Again, journalism ain’t
what it used to be. Excuse the bad grammar, but I have to say it like the folks
on the other side of the street.
The press isn’t acting like a watch dog. They taking on the
behavior of a pussycat.
The truth has long been lost due to the work of people like
Hanna Giles, James O’Keefe, Peter Schweizer and David Daleiden. These are
yellow journalist who thrive on the stupidity of American readers. They hide
behind the façade of journalism to create stories aimed at destroying the
reputations of politicians and organizations.
Their victims include Planned Parenthood, the Association of
Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN) and Hilary Clinton. These folks
don’t quit. They have a mission and that mission is to undermine the advances
of the liberal agenda.
Who can forget the video released of ACORN employee’s helping
a client engage in underage sex trade and prostitution. James O’Keefe released
the video to Fox News in 2009. It happened after ACORN successfully registered
more than 100,000 voters and attacked predatory lending. The organization
folded after losing their federal funding.
It was later determined the video was heavily edited. The
exchange between the client and the ACORN employee was staged for the camera.
The organization committed no wrong doing. People lost their jobs and an
organization doing great work was forced to disband.
This is the new age of journalism.
A similar strategy was used to destabilize Planned
Parenthood. David Daleiden claimed the organization profited from fetal tissue.
Again, no wrongdoing was committed. It was later determined the video used as
evidence was heavily edited.
By then, the damage was done.
Falsehoods and half-truths are used to mold public opinion.
The most popular target is Hilary Clinton. Although Clinton has no halo to signify
perfection, most of what the public believes is based on deceptive reporting.
Peter Schweizer’s book “Clinton Cash” is dedicated to destroying the potential Democratic
Party nominee.
The book is crammed with falsehoods and half-truths. Schweizer
alleges Clinton used her power to benefit financial donors. The need for reform
within the Clinton foundation was used to fuel the opinion now prevalent among
many Americans. Although Schweizer admits a lack of evidence to support his
claims regarding Clinton, the opinions are part of Clintons’ shameful legacy.
The media has failed to debunk these claims. The lies and
half-truths show up in debates and during campaign rallies. All it takes is
time to investigate the validity of these accusations. The media has forgotten
their role as the watch dog of government. We are obligated to hold people
accountable for disseminating information proven wrong after a simple
fact-check.
The same lies and half-truth are recycled like Seinfeld
reruns. The “circular reporting” of these lies and half-truths, in time, become
the fabric of public opinion.
I’m enraged by this due to the source of most of the
reporting. It’s coming from the conservative machinery consumed with destroying
the progressive political agenda. Some of it comes from the Koch Brothers. Most
of it is coming from companies funded by conservatives.
In America, it doesn’t have to be real because the watch dog
has become a pussy.
So, to all my progressive minded friends who promote the
anti-Clinton agenda, dig deeper before promoting the views of the conservative fake
press. Tell the truth when the facts warrant the criticism. Say what needs to
be said when everything checks out as legitimate news.
But, as one committed to the truth, there’s a load of manure
packed in the middle of what you think is truth.
Like they said in Dragnet (an old TV show), just the facts
ma’am.
You may now return to your lie infested programing.
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