As college aged journalism students, I’m sure we all watch the Daily Show with glee. Those not sunning themselves this week were treated to an enlightening appearance by Tom Fenton, former CBS correspondent and author of Bad News: The Death of Reporting, the Business of News, and the Danger to Us All. Though the title is hyperbolic, Fenton makes a compelling case that the news divisions have been “demobilized” and on the ground reporting has been replaced in favor of cheap to produce chat/opinion/bloviation shows.
As a veteran of CBS when Sir Stringer’s division was slashed by then owner Larry Tisch, Fenton has seen the trajection from aggressive international reporting to domestic pablum. One might question his contention that the media gave the Clinton administration as much of a pass as they’ve given Bush’s given their pursuit of non-scandals, but it is hard to argue that the “news” today hasn’t become watered down, chasing the “burning truck” as Stewart put it. Just watching the CNN intro to their morning show, you don’t get a sense of the developments in China this week, the full picture of what’s happening in Lebanon, nor the gutting of aid to the Palestinians by Congress. Add John Bolton’s nomination, the furthering of America’s unipolar pursuits, the return of PAYGO to the budget, and dollar fluctuations, and you could construct an entire newscast of stories that will never get the attention they demand.
As journalism students, it will be up to us to direct the future of journalism. Do we continue to head down this dark path of obscurantism or do we embody the ideals of Mencken? Such is our charge.
UCF Journalism Student 