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Power and Responsibility in Campaign Coverage
By Marc | October 7, 2008
With Election Day in exactly four weeks from today, it’s extremely hard to find something to write about that isn’t about politics. I’m not trying to ignore the election, but I need to stay as close to non-partisan as I can until after November 4th.
This is the first presidential election in many years that the candidates have this strong of supporters and personalities, as well as the nation divided so extremely, which makes it so much harder not to be opinionated on this site. In the last several elections, when voting time came around, it was mainly a matter of picking the least obnoxious.
It seems like everywhere you go, someone’s got an opinion. I like opinions. I enjoy reading blogs and listening to comments by people who are straightforward about who they support. That’s one thing that makes this country great: it’s the Constitutional right to allow everyone a voice. Sometimes though, those voices grow in volume and power.
If there’s one thing I learned from years of reading comic books, it’s Peter Parker’s revelation about the consequences of his action or inaction: “With great power there must also come great responsibility!”
The major news outlets, with their power, have a responsibility to deliver the facts to the people. But, with each passing year and each passing election, as our nation becomes more and more divided politically, the networks, newspapers, magazines, and everything else choose sides. They even go so far as to fan the flames of division, making their candidates golden heroes while making the opposition a glob of slime that doesn’t deserve individual identity or vertebrae.
But wait, don’t bloggers do the same thing? Yes, they do. But here’s the difference: Most bloggers will tell you what side they’re on. Also, bloggers don’t have the big money and range of influence that the mainstream media has. They, as private individuals, have the right to make their opinions known, whether or not we agree.
Media outlets pretend to unbiased and impartial, but it doesn’t take too much to see what side they butter their bread on. It might be Keith Olbermann on MSNBC making some snide sideways comments about John McCain, or it might be Sean Hannity on FOX News blasting the background of Barack Obama.
Hold on there, bucko! You’re making a double standard! How come small-time voices can be allowed to say whatever they want but the big boys have to be impartial? You’re just a doodoo-head, Marc!
You’re right, I am a doodoo-head; but that’s another matter altogether.
Remember that Spider-man responsibility/power thing? Just because they have the power to influence the outcome of an election (or think they do) doesn’t mean they should. I have, within my rights and power, the ability to take a dive morally if there’s something I want, as long as no laws are broken. But, I have responsibilities to my wife, children, friends, family, society, God, and myself not to do so.
Because of the position they have been granted, the media has a responsibility to the entire population, not just one side, their advertisers, and their stockholders.
Now, about our (attempts at) remaining neutral: Since Julie and I decided to remain politically impartial publicly, I come across some stumbling blocks about not taking a side. Bear with me; I don’t, in any way shape or form, consider this site or my opinion to be overly influential, but I still have a responsibility to our promise. This site/blog is about God, life, Christianity, news, some fun or informative stuff occasionally, but it’s not overly political. We figured the voices elsewhere are loud enough for that.
Perhaps though, because of our inaction in publicly taking a side, we’re not living up to our responsibilities as voices, American citizens, and Christians. I don’t know. If you’ve got an opinion on the matter, I would love to hear it.
Topics: In the News, Life and Living | No Comments »
