America’s founders understood the necessity of a free press and its integral role in safeguarding the liberty of free people. A free press plays a crucial role in fostering transparency and accountability within society, but most importantly provides a vital mechanism for disseminating information and facilitating informed public discourse.
Looking back in American history, journalists have been the finders of truth, when lies and misdeeds permeated the air. I grew up in the era of the blood hound reporter and the cigar chomping editor in chief. These men and women had an abrasive arrogance about them, which translated into honest and truthful reporting.
With over 20 million illegal immigrants flooding the US-Mexican border the last three and a half years, most of America’s journalists have decided to opt out of the news reporting business and ignore one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time. In what’s become an all too familiar practice in today’s journalism, the creation of the news, in lieu of reporting the news, is how America’s news media currently conducts its business.
The media’s infidelity has become a significant concern in contemporary America. When news organizations prioritize sensationalism or partisan viewpoints over objective journalism, they have effectively destroyed the public trust. This tragic shift will have profound implications for the overall health of our democracy.
The duplicity of the free press is nothing short of a travesty, and a deliberate assault on one of the cornerstones of democracy. This insidious erosion of journalistic integrity is a blatant attack on the truth and a shameless betrayal of the public trust.
Because of this, their influence and relevance have been severely diminished as we the people no longer trust them to deliver an honest product. Every bit of standing they once had, has deteriorated, and is characterized by a loss of credibility, diminished journalistic standards and a complete loss of objectivity. Consequently, the role of the media as a watchdog and a facilitator of public discourse has been irrevocably compromised.
Freedom of the press and freedom of speech were intentionally linked during the construction of America’s constitution and meant to complement one another; simply because one could not survive without the other. For over a century and a half, the two had maintained an unbreakable union steeped in tradition and integrity.
The American people relied heavily on a fair and unbiased media to be steadfast in its constitutional mandate to report. This erosion of trust will lead to an ignorant populace that is less informed and more susceptible to fake news or misinformation.
This environment reinforces divisive sentiments across political lines and makes it increasingly difficult for individuals to engage in constructive debate. There was a time when journalists strove for impartiality and rigor in their reporting, ensuring that diverse perspectives are represented and that facts were presented accurately. Sadly, those days are long gone.
Addressing this issue is essential to restore public confidence and ensure that journalism can fulfil its vital role in our society. Without concerted efforts to revitalize the media landscape, the consequences for informed citizenship and democratic engagement could be dire.
Finally, America’s media has clearly aligned itself with a particular viewpoint. Their role as a check and balance on government has become non-existent. The significance of this type of media bias extends way beyond mere public perception; they are now attempting to influence public policy and hinder election outcomes.
Certainly not what the founders envisioned when drafting America’s constitution.
Thanks, and God bless you.
