So, this is “fake” news?
WHAT IS “FAKE NEWS” ?
The Wall Street Journal did a really powerful thing today. The daily newspaper’s front page is mostly left blank, except for a bold headline: “HIS STORY SHOULD BE HERE.”
Today marks the one-year anniversary of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich being held in a Russian prison. His “crime” is reporting on Putin’s government. I presume that none of us here personally know Mr. Gershkovich, nor do we know much about his captivity. But, we can imagine what that’s like. Hopefully, he’s not the next Alexei Navalny.
Half of America is now numb to the drumbeat of hate and destruction. Each time we hear the “mainstream media” being ripped apart, perhaps it would be just a little bit fair and balanced–and also wise–to think of this brave writer who risked his life and freedom to bring us strangers the “news.” Perhaps we can remember the brutal massacre of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi only a few years ago, who was hacked to death by the Saudi Arabian government. Perhaps we can think about the innumerable reporters, photographers, and other news media who risk lives, face imprisonment, work in war zones, and even undergo torture to do their jobs. My guess is, YOUR job doesn’t come with those risks. Maybe, a little respect would be nice.
Indeed, a sizable percentage of this country calls reporters who do work like this “fake” news. Somehow, they don’t believe the Gershkovich’s and Khashoggi’s, but then think the talking heads inside a studio blabbering ceaseless propaganda are the only “truth.” The “mainstream media” lies all the time — right? I guess the meat axe used to dismember Khashoggi’s body was faked. And Gershkovich’s imprisonment in Russia for a year is a hoax. The Post…..The Times….The Journal….The Tribune….. all “fake” news. This according to one leading presidential candidate.
It’s getting really annoying…..and tiring.
Nevermind the hundreds of thousands of local papers and news outlets who 24/7 bring us crime stories, uncover corruption, do investigations, expose dirty restaurants, report on business and industry, and even provide the scores to the ball game. All “fake” news. The media can’t be trusted, we’re told.
Oh, really? As opposed to what — the meme on your buddy’s Facebook page or your warped ill-informed opinion?
Yes, media criticism is sometimes justified. That’s because there’s so much of it out there. With so many news sources, a few writers and reporters are bound to make a mistake. Some news people may even be incompetent. It happens in every field. But the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of those who PROVIDE INFORMATION — ESPECIALLY WITH MAINSTREAM MEDIA SOURCES which practice journalistic standards are good, honest, hard-working, talented people. Some of them are even astoundingly brave and risk their lives and freedom.
Remember the Wall Street Journal’s front page this morning and the scary plight of Mr. Gershkovich who is sitting in a Russian cell for the past year while many of you HEAR or REPEAT or POST the stupid memes and constant charges of “fake” news by blowhards and gas-lighting opportunists. What they do deserves respect, not propagandized derision.
