Blurred (Media) Lines

Many people out there have a new attitude toward the media these days.

We see our President’s criticism of the “Fake News Media” nearly every day on Twitter.  I try not to let that bashing of my profession get to me.  However, I have openly wondered how we got to such a point of antagonism.  My thanks go out to Associated Press writer David Bauder for clearing it up.

In his piece, he writes how an industry once dominated by the likes of “Walter Cronkite, Peter Jennings and Diane Sawyer” have now been replaced by the popularity of figures like “Sean Hannity and Rachel Maddow”:  who make no bones about where they fall politically.

Bauder opines:

Many of these glorified pundits spend a lot of their time on how the “mainstream media” covers issues.

Here’s a news flash for those like FOX stalwarts Hannity ,Laura Ingraham and the like..and at the same time MSNBC’s Maddow, Laurence O’Donnell and others.  You folks have to apply for media credentials to cover events just like we have to,

THAT MAKES YOU PART OF THE MEDIA YOU SO OFTEN CRITICIZE!

I say it’s time we make a clear delineation of just who is whom.  Instead of labeling everyone ‘broadcast journalists’, let’s separate the term to clarify.

Those of us who report the news will be JOURNALISTS.   The Hannitys and Maddows of the world will fall under the category of BROADCASTERS.  That clearly defines our roles. If these ‘broadcasters’ want to continue their assailing of ‘journalists’, let them.  But you will NOT be at the next political convention, or inauguration or world summit carrying the same ‘journalist’ status as we have.  We’ve worked too long to establish credibility to have your partisan rhetoric ruin our reputation.

You do media your way…and we will do it our way.  But remember..our way has been around a heckuva lot longer.

I’ll come down off the soapbox now.