January 9, 2005

Journalism Ethics Undergoing New-Age Reform

The profession of journalism these days is engrossed with its navel. Where did it start? How has it developed? What is its future?

On a page preceding this essay, your writer relates the famous libel trial of John Peter Zenger. In colonial America he won the right of journalists to freely publish news displeasing to government officials.

The advent of high-speed printing presses, wireless communication, computers, digital photography and television has created an information overload.

Now we have “newscasters” frantically filling air- time, and big-city newspaper reporters confusing circulation with wisdom.

Disturbing result of all this is the impact a few mass-communication stars have on slanting news. It would not be undue except that they are fiercely “liberal” -- in the sense that government should take care of everyone regardless of personal effort or sensibility.

By self-admissions, 90 percent of journalists are liberal. They chose the profession because it soothes their egos and is easier than digging ditches or getting elected to public office.

Any such huge majority inevitably concludes it knows best and acts accordingly. Journalism has drifted into this dreary realm. The good news is that the citizenry have discovered the emperor has no clothes.

Catalyst for a new-age media reformation was the egregious propaganda by keepers of information funnels about President Bush. Most noticeable was “Memogate” by CBS top banana Dan Rather.

He had been the darling of liberals since he impertinently addressed President Richard Nixon at a reelection rally during the Watergate scandal. “I’m not running for office, are you?

The CBS was sued in 1982 when it libeled retired General William C. Westmoreland about his leadership in the Vietnam so-called Tet offensive. The liberal media – led by CBS – propagandized the American victory into an ignoble defeat.

That smear cost CBS $120 million in damages and loss of its libel insurance -- a slap on the wrist in return for top Nielsen ratings.

CBS Anchorman Dan Rather snickered his way through two decades of jibes against President Ronald Reagan, Congressman Newt Gingrich, two Presidents Bush and sundry conservatives of note.

He and CBS producers desperately wanted to believe forged documents accusing George W. Bush of dodging the Vietnam military draft by joining the Texas Air National Guard.

Rather and his producer rushed the phony documents onto the airwaves. Before the program was over, Internet web log (blog) sites -- hosted by amateurs in the manner of John Zenger -- exposed the document’s flaws.

Rather and CBS tried to bluff their way out of crude partisanship by refusing to reveal the source of their information. “Those who have criticized aspects of our story have never criticized the heart of it, the major thrust.”

Here we have the crux of liberal ideology -- lies are justified to slay opponents.

Fortunately new-age journalists on cable, radio, computer web and community-oriented newspapers were able to expose the bias.

Rather “retired” early. Certain CBS producers and bosses have been told to fall on their swords.

CBS is not the only media outlet found guilty of bias during last year’s election orgy.

The venerable Associated Press – serving all daily newspapers throughout the country – succumbed to anti- Bush temptation.

In reporting a Wisconsin rally by President Bush, the AP reporter wired: “The crowd booed when the President announced President Clinton that morning had undergone heart surgery.”

A videotape of the event discloses that the crowd applauded politely after Bush announced the surgery and urged prayers for Clinton’s speedy recovery.

The degradation of journalistic ethics is not limited to zealous liberals. Cable TV and talk radio are infected with zealous conservatives who have not been caught fabricating information but are equally selective of what they report and omit.

Main-line newspapers – the womb of journalism ethics – often are guilty of bias by emphasis. A neutral article can be slanted by page location, space allocated and headline wording.

Mass media have a responsibility to report significant news promptly and accurately.

Controversial subjects need to present both sides by identified sources (no Deep Throats) through neutral adjectives and adverbs.

Personal opinions – by readers and staff – are properly reserved for the editorial pages where know-it- alls like me hang out.

For the Birth of American Journalism, click here

By Lindsey Williams, columnist for Sun Coast Media Group newspapers