Here’s my thread on why journalists should be fair but NOT balanced, and how media caution and cowardice has let liars prosper. This Chicago Tribune news clip from 1938 is a reminder that journalists are often pressured to play it safe and not report the truth. 
Point 1: Be fair.
Let’s admit it: Most journalists lean left. So they must remember to include legitimate alternate views and context. For example, when covering Trump’s family separations, they should explain the real problems that inspired it.
cnbc.com/2018/06/29/con…
Let’s admit it: Most journalists lean left. So they must remember to include legitimate alternate views and context. For example, when covering Trump’s family separations, they should explain the real problems that inspired it.
cnbc.com/2018/06/29/con…
2: But avoid bogus “balance.”
There’s no law that journalists must repeat vicious lies and distracting spin. Take this 1955 Tribune article on Emmett Till’s funeral. It’s a civil rights milestone, yet the “balanced” story cites commie agitators and a hoax about a fake corpse.
There’s no law that journalists must repeat vicious lies and distracting spin. Take this 1955 Tribune article on Emmett Till’s funeral. It’s a civil rights milestone, yet the “balanced” story cites commie agitators and a hoax about a fake corpse.
3: Call out lies.
Early in Trump’s rise, many newsrooms played it safe by publishing his lies followed by the facts. They expected consumers to do their own compare/contrast. Yet it’s human nature to believe lies. When pols lie, say so up front.
projects.thestar.com/donald-trump-f…
Early in Trump’s rise, many newsrooms played it safe by publishing his lies followed by the facts. They expected consumers to do their own compare/contrast. Yet it’s human nature to believe lies. When pols lie, say so up front.
projects.thestar.com/donald-trump-f…
4: News coverage confers legitimacy.
Why does TV put on awful characters like Corey Lewandowski? Remember: People tend to be gullible. They assume that the people on TV deserve to be there. Are media enabling creeps for the sake of “balance”?
cnn.com/videos/politic…
Why does TV put on awful characters like Corey Lewandowski? Remember: People tend to be gullible. They assume that the people on TV deserve to be there. Are media enabling creeps for the sake of “balance”?
cnn.com/videos/politic…
5: Decency is not a political opinion.
It’s not “slanted” for media to be negative about lies, theft, racism and child abuse. And the welcoming of newcomers is a longtime American value. If journalists can’t accept such standards of decency, we are lost.
nbcsandiego.com/on-air/as-seen…
It’s not “slanted” for media to be negative about lies, theft, racism and child abuse. And the welcoming of newcomers is a longtime American value. If journalists can’t accept such standards of decency, we are lost.
nbcsandiego.com/on-air/as-seen…
6: Real journalists are willing to lose customers.
Some media employ false “balance” on Trump to appear fair and avoid alienating right-wing customers. But journalism is more than a business. Sometimes you have to risk losing money to tell the truth.
nytimes.com/2018/06/15/bus…
Some media employ false “balance” on Trump to appear fair and avoid alienating right-wing customers. But journalism is more than a business. Sometimes you have to risk losing money to tell the truth.
nytimes.com/2018/06/15/bus…
7: Trump’s unpopularity is a big story.
Left-leaning journos still cover “deplorables” as an amazing phenomenon. Since many view the resistance as logical, they don’t cover it as much. Few realize that Trump’s disapproval tops presidents since WWII.
projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval…
Left-leaning journos still cover “deplorables” as an amazing phenomenon. Since many view the resistance as logical, they don’t cover it as much. Few realize that Trump’s disapproval tops presidents since WWII.
projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval…
8: The red-blue narrative is flawed.
When media cast every issue as Dems vs. Repubs, they fuel an impression that both sides are cynically spewing BS to win. Which may be true, but obscures real issues. A more valid conflict: politicians vs. facts.
pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017…
When media cast every issue as Dems vs. Repubs, they fuel an impression that both sides are cynically spewing BS to win. Which may be true, but obscures real issues. A more valid conflict: politicians vs. facts.
pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017…
9: Call out government secrecy.
We’re a representative democracy (for now), so the media must howl about Trump hiding facts (as Obama did before him). Some journalists see complaints as unseemly whining, but the fact is: Secrecy undermines democracy.
cnn.com/2018/07/03/us/…
We’re a representative democracy (for now), so the media must howl about Trump hiding facts (as Obama did before him). Some journalists see complaints as unseemly whining, but the fact is: Secrecy undermines democracy.
cnn.com/2018/07/03/us/…
Final point: Be a “friend of the people”
Let’s face it: When Democrats get more votes and lose anyway, it means they’re not good at politics. That’s why Trump sees media as threat No. 1. Journalists must accept that and tell the truth is a patriotic act.
mediaite.com/online/rubio-m…
Let’s face it: When Democrats get more votes and lose anyway, it means they’re not good at politics. That’s why Trump sees media as threat No. 1. Journalists must accept that and tell the truth is a patriotic act.
mediaite.com/online/rubio-m…
