The Media

I'm often critical of the voting public. I think that a Republic gets the politicians it deserves. But in order for voters to do their jobs, they need information. I have the time and inclination to seek out information. But most people are busy leading lives and just don't have as much time to devote to citizenship. That's why stories like this one are so disturbing:

Media Matters notes, “ABC and CBS still have not reported — on either their evening news or morning news broadcasts — former deputy attorney general James B. Comey’s account of what NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams May 15 called a rare glimpse of a high-level, late-night power struggle over the National Security Agency’s warrantless domestic wiretapping program.”

The Comey testimony is likely the biggest story of the week if not the year. It's a direct eyewitness testimony of the committing of a felony by the President of the United States. And where is ABC and CBS? Probably covering heavyweight subjects like a reunification of Joey Buttafuco and Amy Fisher (I kid you not, check the link). The media will say that they give viewers what they want, which may be true. I say the airwaves are owned by the public and granted to broadcasters based on the agreement that they would use some portion of those airwaves for public good. Beside, I'd like large media outlets like ABC, CBS and large newspapers to show me how their movement towards tabloidism has improved their ratings.

ABC, CBS ... it's time to get better at doing your duty. The die-hard viewers are who you want, not the capricious casual viewers who will be gone in a moments notice.