Political activism has become a means to achieve social gain, rather than of social change. Today many online and media activist campaigns reveal their true colors by raising awareness of convenient untruths falsely presenting them as factual news/information.
Over the years I became accustomed to getting up at 5 a.m. to listen to many different sides/views in the news (BBC, Bloomberg, Fox, Fox Business, CNBC business, MSNBC, and CNN) while I read the paper. On the average this would take 2 hours and provide a synopsis of all sides of the issues.
Until recently I was a believer that the best way to get news was mass communication, including television, magazines, and newspapers, reported by journalists. Unfortunately, our world has changed and much of the so-called media is not made up of journalists reporting facts but has become a body of people spewing biased advertorials promoting personal, political or company views. Did you know people are paying for placement of their message as news on sites like Facebook?
Commentators posing as journalists of all sides and views now fabricate and/or argue their bias as if it is the only correct and accurate/factual way to see something. If you don’t agree then there is a name “ “ for you. We have reached a point in society where there is No understanding/communication of views but rather verbal/written elimination of the other side at any cost.
Prior to the Internet, I believed the best way to get biased/fictional/phony information was tabloid journalism that was sold via grocery checkout magazines such as “Star, National Inquirer, etc.” focused solely on sensationalism and sales.
The newfound ability of hijacking current issues of our time for personal gain requires each of us to reevaluate how we get involved and participate in this new form of interaction via Facebook, Twitter, etc.. It’s a call to think more critically about the way information is received, exchanged and portrayed. The days of comprehensive up-to-date news coverage has morphed into the Wild West.
Today I accept the fact that the Media (TV/Radio), Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. has replaced Tabloid journalism and is available to millions of readers for free. It is no longer about informing others of facts, but rather ensuring each message supports a particular view or opinion.
Caveat emptor.
Robert Bentz is a resident of the Village of Lake Deaton.
