News Presenters become Newsmakers

MY TURN-When I was studying to be a journalist, we learned that one never makes oneself the story.  That theory went out with the start of celebratory personality journalism and of course the internet.  Even those famous broadcast newsmen like Walter Cronkite and Chet Huntley were concerned with the opinions of those they were interviewing without pushing their own point of view. 

This week the story has been about “News Presenters” with the problem with Brian Williams and the eventual end of the Jon Stewart Show.  Unfortunately we can now add 60 Minutes, Bob Simon to the list.  He was killed in an auto accident Wednesday evening. 

So the news presenters have become the story. There has been more words and air time devoted to both Williams and Stewart, than the President’s proposal for legislative approval on additional “War Powers.” 

I don’t think I have anything significant to add to the Stewart/Williams saga other than to say that Williams should have known his embellishments would be discovered and those journalists who actually do get into the middle of the battle to report the news … should all get a big raise! 

Jon Stewart deserves all the kudos for getting the younger generation actually interested in the news and  for skewering the pompous.  Simon was a gentleman and delivered his stories with a gravitus and gentility that wore well over more than five decades.  The fact that his competitors on both network and cable have paid homage is proof of the high regard he enjoyed. 

Stewart didn’t start political satire but he certainly pushed it into the mainstream; whereas, the original satirists like Dick Cavett were the darling of the intellectuals and the programs definitely had snob appeal.  You know,  people who profess to only watch PBS and the History Channel.  Now the Jon Stewart Show is “must see” TV for millions. 

The media world I entered in my twenties, holds very little relationship to what is considered media today.  The advent of the internet changed everything.  Journalists used to deliver the news, human interest stories, sports and of course entertainment news and gossip.   Opinions were published on the editorial page and letters to the Editor.  As teenagers we used to hide our copies of “LA Confidential”…the godmother of tabloids like Star. 

Now anyone can try and influence public opinion.  I am appalled at some of the things I read on the internet.  One can say anything and a certain group will take it as gospel and forward it to everyone they know.  

I love being able to click and find out almost any information I need.  It sure beats looking it up in the encyclopedia. I love that I can be in touch with family and friends all over the world instead of waiting for a letter .  It certainly feeds our need for instant gratification.   Our CityWatch Publisher, Ken Draper, can tell within the first hour of posting which CW articles will receive the most hits.  When I was a publisher we had to wait weeks for reaction. 

I hate the fact that dumb ideas like “no childrens" vaccinations” can spread across the country and become “trendy” instead of an old wives tale.  Obviously the people pushing this were not around when polio was prevalent.  I remember not being able to go to the park in the summertime because of fear of getting this dread disease.  I also remember being cooped up in bed in a darkened room with measles or mumps or both. 

I hate the personal insults and the bullying that people do because they can remain anonymous.  These kinds of actions have ruined relationships— caused suicides— and destroyed reputations. 

We still retain a certain amount of respect for the written word…be it in a hard copy or on a screen.  For some psychological reason if I tell I tell you something verbally … you may find it interesting or forgettable.  If the next day you see it in black and white it carries a lot more weight. 

We hear about the demise of newspapers.  People don’t want to wade through a bunch of pages to find their interest.  Yahoo, Google…and a rash of other special interest on line publications are a quick read. 

I love the morning newspaper!  I enjoy the feel-the rustle pf pages turning and I still read both the comics and my daily horoscope.  I admit to only reading the front page of the sport section. Yes, it gets thinner and thinner, but it’s still my morning ritual. 

The demise of radio was anticipated when everyone bought television sets.  Yet radio has managed to maintain its relevancy.  My grand kids listen to the music stations just like I did at their age.  People even pay for premium radio like Sirius XM.  Do you remember when radios were not standard in a car?  It was a luxury extra.  

Talk radio has become a cash cow.  Never has one heard such nonsense in one place and at one time.  Whatever your political interest there are stations for you.  Your religious preferences are there at a push of a knob.  Every type of music is available.  If we didn’t have radio there would be a lot more road rage.   It is our savior in the horrendous traffic we have to accept. 

There is a big difference between opinion and facts. I’m still of the “opinion” that a journalist has a responsibility to tell the truth…to inform and in many cases allow the reader to determine their own opinion. CityWatch solicits opinions on the news.  This doesn’t mean that the articles are not factual.  It is understood that you are reading the writers opinion or their interpretation of the facts. 

Be sure to check out the CityWatch election page and learn about the candidates running in the primary March 3.  They deserve your consideration. 

As always comments are welcome.

 

(Denyse Selesnick is a featured CityWatch columnist.  She is a former Publisher/journalist/international event organizer. Denyse can be reached at: [email protected] This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )

-cw

 

 

 

 

CityWatch

Vol 13 Issue 13

Pub: Feb 13, 2015

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