Al Gore: Responsible Journalism

[cal04]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/al-gore/responsible-journalism_b_904699.html?ir=Yahoo

The phone hacking scandal engulfing News Corp. is another reminder of the failure of the media to serve the public. I wrote in Rolling Stone recently:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/climate-of-denial-20110622

"Unlike access to the 'public square' of early America, access to television requires large amounts of money. Thomas Paine could walk out of his front door in Philadelphia and find a dozen competing, low-cost print shops within blocks of his home. Today, if he traveled to the nearest TV station, or to the headquarters of nearby Comcast -- the dominant television provider in America -- and tried to deliver his new ideas to the American people, he would be laughed off the premises. The public square that used to be a commons has been refeudalized, and the gatekeepers charge large rents for the privilege of communicating to the American people over the only medium that really affects their thinking. "Citizens" are now referred to more commonly as "consumers" or 'the audience.'"

It is positive development that in addition to ongoing probes in the UK, the FBI has launched an investigation into the conduct of News Corp. employees. These inquiries must allow for a full public airing of the behavior of these irresponsible news outlets. If criminal behavior is found to have occurred, I hope those liable are prosecuted.

However there is also a need for a broader conversation about how the media has fallen down on its responsibilities -- not by tapping the phones of celebrities, politicians and victims of crimes and terrorist attacks -- but by failing to insure the public is truly informed about the most pressing issues of the day.

[gratuitous]

1. Well, what does Al Gore know?

Let's hear from someone with a degree in journalism, schooled by no fewer than five colleges, like Sarah Palin! That'll be a fair and balanced opinion! By the way, has Mrs. Palin weighed in on her employer's troubles in the UK? Or can't she see London from her front porch?

[justiceischeap]

4. Wasn't Gore, once upon a time, a print journalist?

which, IMO, is way different than a sports caster.

[Uncle Joe]

7. A couple of points about Gore's journalistic experience and knowledge.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_gore

Harvard

(snip)

Though he was an avid reader who fell in love with scientific and mathematical theories,<22> he did not do well in science classes in college, and avoided taking math.<21> His grades during his first two years put him in the lower one-fifth of the class. During his sophomore year, he reportedly spent much of his time watching television, shooting pool, and occasionally smoking marijuana.<21><22> In his junior and senior years, he became more involved with his studies, earning As and Bs.<21> In his senior year, he took a class with oceanographer and global warming theorist Roger Revelle, who sparked Gore's interest in global warming and other environmental issues.<22><29> Gore earned an A on his bachelor of arts thesis, "The Impact of Television on the Conduct of the Presidency, 1947-1969", and graduated with honors in June 1969.<21><30>

(snip)

Gore also began to work the night shift for The Tennessean as an investigative reporter in 1971.<42> His investigations of corruption among members of Nashville's Metro Council resulted in the arrest and prosecution of two councilmen for separate offenses.<37>

As to being a sports caster, I don't view that as being a strike against knowing general politics or recognizing journalistic integrity when you see it anymore than being a patent clerk prohibits one from becoming a great physicist.

I believe Gore's experience and knowledge in the two bolded areas, that I posted above enhanced his ability to recognize Keith Olbermann's great talent, passion for politics and respect for journalistic integrity in spite of Keith having been a "sportscaster."

[Uncle Joe]

2. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, cal.:thumbsup:

[cal04]

3. thank you Uncle Joe

you're very welcome
:hi:

[YvonneCa]

5. Thank you for posting this. Our Former Vice...

...President, now of Current TV, understands the importance of a free press to democracy. If anyone has doubts about that, they should read 'Assault on Reason.'

[cal04]

6. You're very welcome YvonneCa

thank you for the book
:hi:

[YvonneCa]

8. You are welcome. If you haven't read...

...Al Gores's book, it is a MUST. :hi: