An unpopular truth about the news you read

[unixronin]

Orson Scott Card on lies, damned lies, and election campaign reporting

OK, so you think Card is a religious fundamentalist.  In many ways, you may be right.

You may consider Card a homophobe.  I doubt he sees it that way, but you're within your rights to say that too.  If you're gay, I doubt the practical distinction matters to you.

Neither of those change the fact that what he has to say on this particular issue — honesty and objectivity in journalism — is perfectly true.  Judge the message, not the messenger.

Comments

p.s.

[jmkelly.livejournal.com]

Before someone beats me to it, I'll mention that Bill Clinton and his appointees were equally deeply involved in deregulation of the finance industry.

Re: p.s.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

I think that was half Card's point. The press is managing to almost completely avoid covering that part of the problem, just like they're managing to almost completely avoid covering any campaign gaffes from Obama and Biden, like Joe Biden not actually knowing what the duties and responsibilities of the Vice-President are, or Obama's missteps when he's not working from a prepared speech. (But they're going all out to crucify "Joe the Plumber" for daring to publicly question their idol's Plan For America.)

Re: p.s.

[jilara.livejournal.com]

No, they're crucifying "Joe the Plumber" because dirt is news. Or should I say, dirt sells papers.

I'm in an extremely cynical mood right now. I've just watched "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" again, and it doesn't present a flattering image of the press, even when they're the "good guys."