It was quite a coincidence; both Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon were fired on the same day. It was interesting to see the headlines that, instead of using the same word for both dismissals, described them differently depending on which news source was reporting it. The reasons are different though; Lemon has become more arrogant and out of control over time, accused by women of inappropriate behavior. He has become a bully, unwilling to let people speak if he disagreed with them. Carlson is a flat-out liar, supporting Russia and the Big Lie about the presidential election and the insurrection. Regardless of where you are on them, it seems clear to me that neither one should be reporting the news. Their lack of integrity is glaring.
But while we blame the media for all of our woes, I have come to wonder if they are not as much to blame as we are. In the same way that we get the politicians we vote for (and possibly deserve), we get the media we choose as well. After all, it all comes down to making money, and if advertisers think people aren’t watching, they divert their money elsewhere. It doesn’t matter how good or bad a show is, it will only survive if it can make money. None of these organizations, news or otherwise, are charities. And the people who become caricatures for money might very well be good people, but we will never find that out as long as they play the roles they play. Like professional wrestling, at some point we have to admit that it’s all a show.
Of course, the problem is that not everyone will admit that, and the conspiracy theories and lies they spout seem like the truth to much of the population. Repeat a lie often enough, Goebbels said, and it becomes the truth. That is how much power the media has. It propelled the Nazis towards their attempt at world domination, and they were supported by people who bought their evil lies. And while we have this mythology that this kind of false telling of the news is something new, it is not. News has always had a slant, and all newscasters leave some things out. Has it gotten worse? Sure. Were people like Cronkite and Murrow far superior to what we have today? Absolutely. They weren’t perfect, however, but they were better. But if people didn’t watch them, they would have been replaced by others who would be. Because it’s all about the money.
This tyranny of choice we have when it comes to media allows us to be increasingly siloed, and that keeps us from hearing all sides. I purposely watch and read views that are opposed to what I believe because they aren’t always wrong. I find out facts that are omitted by NPR and Reuters that get reported by Fox, and vice versa. This (gasp) gives me a more balanced view of what is happening, as much as that is possible. If we truly get the news we deserve, we are in big trouble. Getting rid of Lemon and Carlson is a great start, but if they are replaced by people who are just like them (or worse), it proves to me that it isn’t them. It’s us. The only way we change that is with how we use our time and money. I’ve seen the enemy, and it may be us.
Prayer – It is often difficult, God of truth and right, to know what is true and right. Give us minds and hearts to discern more clearly how we should live. Amen.
Today’s art explores media and is created by Martin Whatson.