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the death and life of journalism by democracynow.org
In America today there are two distinctly different forms of journalism, as different as night is from day. First we have that form of journalism as practiced by the mainstream media that could best be described as pseudo-journalism. And then we have what is called objective journalism which is found almost entirely on the Internet.
Let's use the image at the top of this article, and its title "The Death and Life of American Journalism" to illustrate how journalism in the mainstream media is now on life support and dying while objective journalism on the internet is alive and expanding.
Decades ago America experienced what might be called the Golden Age of objective journalism as such giants of the profession, Edward R. Murrow, Eric Sevareid, Walter Cronkite (all members of the CBS news organization at different times) and some of their contemporaries gained great respect through their in-depth investigative reporting based on concrete facts and evidence. They weren't perfect but they were head and shoulders above what we see on TV today.
Here's how this once greatly respected profession has regressed. We have a choice of watching Fox News, the mouthpiece of the GOP, MSNBC, the defender and apologist for the Democratic Party, and CNN which tries to be objective but just doesn't dig deep enough into issues. These are news organizations that have the resources to bring real objective journalism to the American public but, unfortunately, that's not their primary objective. The hosts and reporters are under the strict control of their corporate masters who decide what is presented, how it may be presented, and what is taboo. As a result this muzzled form of journalism that is contained on the mainstream media might as well be pronounced dead.
Look at the Sunday morning news shows and tell me which one of them can be considered an example of solid, in-depth objective news reporting; David Gregory on NBC, Bob Scheiffer on CBS, or George Stephanopoulos on ABC? Forget about Fox News because real journalists have ceased working there long ago. Now, let's look at the participants that are ever-present on Sundays; John McCain, Lindsay Graham, George Will, David Brooks, Kathleen Parker, and William Kristol to name just a few. This parade of talking-heads brought before the American public each and every week and portrayed as experts on all forms of governmental affairs is a journalistic sham.
For a stark contrast with the mainstream media let's take a look at the kind of journalism that can readily be found on the Web. Here is a list of those individuals that could be considered to be the best within their profession at this time:
Glenn Greenwald: a fearless journalist who now is associated with the exciting new First Look Media website. He is that journalist who brought the Edward Snowden NSA spying revelations to Americans and people around the world.
Noam Chomsky: an extremely influential, widely known linguist, philosopher, political commentator, strong critic of U.S. foreign policy and a tireless activist; considered by many to be the conscience of America.
Jeremy Scahill; a young, relentless investigative reporter who has been the national security correspondent for The Nation magazine and, most recently, joined the First Look media group; an outstanding journalist who pulls no punches in reporting on government affairs and especially abusive practices.
Matt Taibbi: renowned for his work as Contributing Editor with Rolling Stone magazine he is yet another addition to First Look Media. He has specialized in reporting on politics and has a keen insight into financial conditions in this country, especially with regard to Wall Street's deceitful practices.
Robert Greenwald: a premier television, feature film and documentary filmmaker, and political activist, founder of the Brave New Films media organization.
Andrew Bacevich: retired U.S. Army colonel, political scientist specializing in international relations and foreign policy, professor at Boston University.
Pepe Escobar: feature write for Asian Times Online in Hong Kong; an expert on Central Asian and Middle East affairs, an exceptional foreign policy observer and writer.
Dean Baker: one of the leading economists in this country, one who has a deep insight into the reasons behind America's mounting economic problems. His writings and the truth that they convey are exceptional.
Richard D. Wolff: a well-respected economist; Professor of Economics Emeritus, University of Massachusetts; strong critic of America's system of Corporatism and capitalism.
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