The image above is an old classic from Tom Tomorrow. And it applies even today. The wall to wall coverage of this Presidential election is rather frustrating although I'm pleased there is so much interest, even if from folks that don't always seem that well-informed. Even if you watch the boob tube, and admittedly I hardly ever do, you often get the same old same old. Coverage seems to revolve around the politicians rather than their politics. The horserace dominates the coverage of course. Bringing int he street meat in the form of various pundits is cheap and relatively simple. Little context or preparation is required of either the guest(s) or the host(s) ... or the viewer for that matter.
The WaPo's Paul Fahri delivers a great read with his Political Pundits, Overpopulating the News Networks from yesterday's paper. The bad news is that if ratings drive the effort from the corporate media then we're in for more and more of this foolishness. Here's why:
"From late December to mid-February, CNN, Fox and MSNBC collectively recorded a 62 percent increase in their prime-time audience, compared with the same period in the last campaign in 2003-04, according to Nielsen data. During all hours of the day, the increase for the three networks was 73 percent."The corporate media is being rewarded as they deliver reporting that reduces understanding, perpetuates the two party system, doesn't contextualize politics with issues/history/etc., actually elevates the punditocracy, and otherwise fails our democracratic hopes. I know there are a few Progressives that make the cut yet they are often few and far between. John Gunn
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