Monopolisitic media puts propaganda first

How did modern media get to the point where the ‘profession’ of journalism throws a tantrum and, in the aftermath, true tradesmen fill the void by taking the helm broadcast news abandoned? Legacy media have become drunk on their own ideologies. When the president locks the liquor cabinet they go on a tirade against sobriety. All that Americans are asking is that the media giants take a sober look at the constitutional role with which they’ve been entrusted. First Amendment rights do not guarantee access. Access is a privilege granted by management of a venue, such as the White House, to cover an event.

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This is why reporters must apply for credentials to gain access. Every Tom, Dick and Harriet representing a news outlet, regardless of size, must be granted permission to attend, whether it’s a White House press briefing or the launching of a cruise ship. Where security is concerned, background checks are necessary and that includes reviewing how the news organization renders its reports, whether or not they are delivered evenhandedly. (The latter rarely being a factor for radical liberal venues.)

CNN, MSNOW and Politico have abused their White House press privilege by continuing to color their reporting with personal and organizational bias meant to drive public opinion in a specific direction. That other press pool members (legacy broadcast outlets and Fox News) have thrown in with the offenders, attempting to rescue them from their disrespectful actions, is a testament to the perversion of journalism.

They have all lost sight of the service they perform to inform the public by seeing themselves as celebrities with exclusive access to power.

It comes down to the ivory tower training that the main cadre of journalists receive that instills arrogance over skill and sense.

There is a solution… Train a new generation press corps in the ability to report news with equanimity, shedding prejudices from their coverage. That attitude does not preclude asking tough questions. That’s the duty of a real watchdog press. What is needed is that correspondents box up their personal ideology and report what is actually said and done. Interpreting speech and events is not their job. That’s for the public to weigh and decide.

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A widened approach to training journalists is called for and, brazen horn-blowing as this may be, Scribes’ College of Journalism is prepared to supply it. It has been a years-long journey to bring forth (rather like a ridiculously protracted gestation) an academy offering a distinctive curriculum that centers on teaching the skills of a scholastically-based trade instead of a profession, a belief system, as most university programs are constructed.

Consider the citizen journalists that have muscled their way into the dying mainstream press corps. They are self-taught by sheer will, recognizing the need to release facts into a propagandized media.

As much as social media has influenced news distribution, there is an over-abundance of bias sneaking into reports, liberal and conservative.

“The mission of Scribes’ College of Journalism is to inspire and instruct students with the heritage, skills, professionalism, accountability and responsibility of the press; invoke the integrity and fidelity to truth necessary to ply the trade; teach biblical ethics and standards for recording history—accurately reporting news, interviewing witnesses and conveying facts fully and in proper context.

Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

This means a curriculum should cover the history of journalism, ethics, journalistic style (yes there is such a thing)—writing, editing, headlines, etc., world history/geography, research/interview methods, news presentation, business practices, internships, and much more. This isn’t a program to learn how to translate and explain the news according to ideology. There’s enough indoctrination in schools and colleges.

“Biblical Standards of Reporting” is the byword for Scribes’ College. Integrity has acquired a new definition when it comes to the modern press. It has been perverted to attest to a news outlet’s rationale, be it good, bad or just plain ugly.

Look up Scribes’ College of Journalism online and peruse the whole plan. Journalists derive their know-how from good old hard work, but solid programs are called for that retool the opinion-based reporting inundating the internet and airwaves.

Journalism is an honorable trade, not a pretentious profession. Perhaps you agree?

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