Whatever Happened to Journalism?

I started my career in broadcasting when radio was less than a quarter century old; when major markets had only three or four television stations and those of us who were lucky enough to find our way into the media were just trying to figure out what the "one-eyed monster" was all about. We were inventing television and redefining radio as we went along. We had studios equipped with one or maybe two black and white cameras, and if we wanted to change lenses we did so on the air. There was no audio or videotape, no satellites, no 24 hr "news cycles" and no cable. If you wanted to record something you actually cut an acetate record or used Craig Curtis' new technology called Kinescope.

We, plunged forward with an idealism and intellectual integrity that, at best, could be called naive.

Of this we were sure, news was sacrosanct. When we went on the air we were journalists in the tradition of the newspaper columnists, writers and reporters who preceded us and from whom we learned. Broadcasting was taught in the journalism classes in both High Schools and College. There were no talking heads, no anchors filling time interviewing other anchors who echo their opinions. When there was a difference of opinion among qualified experts and guests, nobody tried to shout each other down with half truths and hyperbolic bullshit. We treated our audience and ourselves with respect. 

Today, when I force myself to sample what purports itself to be news, either local or on cable, I am heartsick. No matter where you look it's the same fear mongering, chirpy, over made-up chipmunks and concerned faced silver haired and tonged anchors mouthing endless platitudes aimed at convincing us that something "could've' happened except for the fact that they themselves are on guard and on the scene.

Now, why this harangue? Because last night I watched the first episode of HBO's new original drama "THE NEWSROOM".  From the opening Jeff Daniels monologue, aimed at an anchor to be, through the evolution of the program it is obvious that  Aaron Sorkin the producer/writer, is fed up with the state of broadcast news and is willing to say so in no uncertain terms. Check it out, so far it's an honest attempt to comment on the cynical underestimating the intelligence of the American audience, the disappearance of broadcast journalism and what might be a way to bring it back.