While Talk Shows Rarely are Confused with Art, Danger Lurks when Reality Begins to Resemble this Entertainment

Michael Calderone’s Politico piece, “Divide between right and mainstream media,” compares the coverage of a handful of recent stories by traditional media outlets to that of talk shows and blogs. Not surprisingly, traditional media dedicated less time and column space to some of these stories than did their counterparts. But, more than demonstrate a bias of papers like the New York Times, this analysis reveals that bloggers and talkers have the luxury to cover part of the news to make a point while the others try to cover a more complete picture.

Since people are involved, it is foolish to say newspapers and television news organizations can report information free of bias even with the best of intentions. But, there is a fundamental difference between putting together a newscast and producing a talk show. Blogging on a few select topics is unlike producing a newspaper that covers community, national and/or world affairs.

It is easy to understand why right leaning Fox News might dedicate hours of coverage to the resignation of White House staffer Van Jones who made outlandish and racist comments. Mr. Jones was a deserving target and attacking the Obama Administration plays to the audience. As easy to understand is why Fox News skipped the 2005 resignation of Bush White House staffer Philip Cooney who repeatedly toned down government climate documents to play down global warming. While it appears Mr. Jones never had the opportunity to use his position to influence a particular policy, Mr. Cooney actually used his to do so. However, attacking Mr. Cooney or a Republican President would not play well with conservative viewers. I get it.

Free speech is good. Debate and discussion is how we make decisions in a democracy. However, some of these talk shows and bloggers are breeding an animosity that is dangerous by desensitizing us to name calling and disrespectful dialogue.

There is plenty of heated language spewing forth from the airwaves these days, but as the article did, let us turn our attention to the current rising purveyor of rants and raves, Glenn Beck. Mr. Beck can be heard daily on radio and nightly on Fox News. In many ways, Beck exemplifies the good, the bad and the ugly of what ideologues with a microphone and marketing savvy can accomplish. Glenn Beck is an entertainer who relies on the outrageous outburst to make his point. He has built an audience with whom he can lure advertisers and to whom he can sell books and merchandise. Good for him. He knows what his audience wants and he is eager to throw them his brand of red meat verbosity.

You need look no further than the Tea Party march this past weekend to learn two important things about Beck. 1) He has amassed a sizeable following. 2) His recipe for attracting these followers is concocted from equal parts news, historical interpretation, fear mongering, and salacious innuendo. I am not sure he has ever uttered the current common phrase among his followers, “give us our country back,” but he clearly implies it with huge helpings of disdain for those he disagrees during every broadcast and his fans love it.

Glenn Beck and his fellow talk jockeys provide a certain service by making people think, providing information and challenging people to get involved. However, Beck is careless with the power his cameras and microphones provide. Calling the President a racist – calling anyone a racist – is a serious charge. To do so in such a casual manner is reckless and harmful to civilized political debate. Histrionics about people who are out to destroy the country because of a liberal agenda is outlandish. Liberals and conservatives may disagree on the how, but I still believe the vast majority of Americans share a common goal to make our country better and stronger. Beck sells vitriol because it gins up his audience and it is good business. But, he is doing more harm than good by sowing toxic seeds of distention and animosity.

Go forth, watch Glenn Beck and the others. Listen to them paint a picture of partisan distrust and cheer them as they go after the latest scapegoat for what is wrong with the other party, if you wish. Just remember, the name calling and finger pointing may make good TV, but it is finding common ground that will make us a better country.