A new breed of bully

As I was growing up, I remember how I was impressed by those who "reported" the news - I looked forward to the Weekly Reader, watching evening news, reading the newspaper - I seemed to have a reverence for each of them in their own way.  My parents taught me that it is important to stay informed.  I knew that those to whom I was listening/reading were making an attempt to be impartial and tell me what was going on.

Fast forward from that to the Vietnam era, through the genesis of 24 hour coverage to the present day.  No longer can I read/hear anything with that same reverence - that same feeling - that what is being "reported" is factual and not skewed in some way by a "reporter" grinding an axe about something.  Maybe just the fact that we are bombarded with 24 hour coverage of EVERYTHING leads the journalist to detest "dead air," and consequently fills that time with their own opinions when there is nothing really to report.

The days of the Edward R. Murrow or Chet Huntley - David Brinkley journalist are long gone.  I am sure that these veterans of the media had their own - and sometimes strong - opinions about what was going on, but they kept them to themselves and let the listener form an opinion.

What I see today is extremely disturbing.  The media now has a collective opinion, and if you happen to subscribe to something OTHER THAN that opinion (on whatever the subject at hand happens to be) then the media acts like a playground bully and will "beat up" on whomever they choose.  If you think the way the media does, then you get a pass - on just about anything.  If you don't - you'd better watch your back(side.)

This happens time and time again.  The environment is ripe right now for this because of an election on the immediate horizon.  The media (collectively) stands generally behind a liberal philosophy, so they positively report that information while down-playing, or being outright belligerant toward, a more conservative stance.  This applies across the board - finances, stances on abortion, religious leanings, education, healthcare, and constitutional issues.

An example as evidence is the coverage (or lack of coverage) of the two political conventions we just endured.  It seemed that the media reluctantly covered - then hammered what went on during - the GOP convention.  You had to search the channels to find coverage, and then heard the commentators tear down speakers or activities.  There is, of course, little good one can say about the GOP.

Contrast this with coverage of the Democratic convention.  There was no way you could avoid it because coverage was everywhere, and all the commentators coming along in lock-step to buttress the fine opinions of the speakers and platform.

Well, isn't that what a bully does?  Do what "I" want and "I" leave you alone - even protect you.  Try to stand up to "me" and I will beat you up.

OK, media.  It's time to give up your bully ways.