Story Lines
Charlie Earl
Sports
reporters are similar to their senseless counterparts who cover “serious” news.
They behave like lemmings and follow the compelling story line of the day. Be
it “Harbowl,” “Sibling Rivalry,” or “The Brother Bowl,” the Super Bowl reports
about the contest between the San Francisco Fortyniners and the Baltimore
Ravens will be dominated by the relationship of their respective coaches.
Reporters and story lines go together in the same way that piranha fish and
floundering water buffalo’s do. As the frenzied fish are feasting on the
unfortunate critter, other significant foods sources may be floating down the
river but the single-purposed mindset of the fierce amphibians causes them to
ignore it. Reporters and so-called journalists grasp a story line and follow it
to absurdity while other more relevant ones may be ignored.
As a former
instructor for journalists and reporter wannabes, I can attest that many lack
the two most critical attributes that are vital for disseminating the news to
citizens. Those are curiosity and the thirst for knowledge. Many people in the
news and sports realms are grossly ignorant, unaware of their ignorance and
stay that way for most of their careers. What little curiosity they do possess
is wasted on meaningless and salacious inquiries that do nothing to truly
inform the public. We are presented with a series of worthless “facts” that do
not expand our field of knowledge nor do they elevate our discourse. Titillating
scandal sells papers and opinions delivered as facts are broadcast into the
homes of gullible viewers. What passes for news is more accurately labeled as
commentary or gossip meanwhile too many of our citizens are captivated by the
irrelevant and lulled by the unimportant. In defense of the “news” industry it
is impossible to inform us of everything that has occurred in any given day. It
is just as difficult to make us aware of every important activity of any day so
why do they waste our time and theirs by including fluffy feel-good feature stories
when there is too much “hard news” to fit into the coverage window? The gate
keepers determine what stories are worthy of our attention.
The
guardians of the republic, the gatekeepers, decide what stories to print or
broadcast (or cablecast or dishcast) and determine their positions of
importance relative to the other events of the day. The editors and producers
are the gatekeepers of information in the papers, on the newscasts and the
webcasts. If the event is consistent with their storyline or agenda, it will
receive a prominent position in the news. If not, the event may not be covered
at all or relegated to an obscure position. Just like the Congressional staff
members control the flow of information to our exalted leaders, the gatekeepers
manipulate the “news” that we see or hear every day. Governments at all levels
also function as gatekeepers. That is why we have classified documents, secret
negotiations and enabling legislation. They rightly fear that full disclosure
may incite the peasants. Just like grammar-school children, they revel in their
secretive positions because it enhances their power over you and me. How can we
legitimately complain when we lack all “the facts?”
The primary
difference between government and media gatekeepers is their access to or
willingness to acquire information. Although many in government may not possess
all the information and details about a given event or law, they nevertheless
believe they know enough to warrant its secrecy. The media, on the other
hand, rarely know enough and even more rarely question the existence of hidden
facts and information, but they filter what they do know through an ideological
prism. Secrets, therefore become more insulated because politicians wish to
protect their legacies and journalists wish to shield the political class….. or
they might lose “access” to the power brokers. Together they form an unholy
alliance of gatekeepers to surround the citizens in darkness and insulate
themselves from accountability. What a deal! It may be time to charge the gates
and wrest the power of information control from the current holders of the
keys.
Charlie Earl
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