Yes, Susan, Karl gets it right. You are brilliant. This is the most intelligent and thoughtful piece I have read about the awful coverage of Kamala by the press. So glad you reminded us all of the Hillary campaign. And let’s not forget that she won the popular vote in spite of the biased articles.
When people mention the media they may want to focus on profit driven corporations; not an utopian and altruistic fourth estate enshrined in the Constitution whose role keeps voters well informed. Those days have been gone for at least a century. The corporate media's so-called "hard hitting questions" are gotcha traps that stir up doubt and dirt. It's not about informing the voters. It's about increasing viewers/listeners as the justification for raising advertising rates.
Living in Praha in 1999/2000 I watched in disbelief as that election was appropriated by the Supreme Court. We almost trusted the courts back then. The political view was very different from Europe. Now disbelief is everywhere and the gaslight is turned up so bright, none of us know who to trust.
And then AI.
The tech Bros are manufacturing all new gaslighting farms just to assert the overlarge size of their hmm, financial assets.
Excellent. Thank you. I think the country and the world would have been in a much better place now if Hillary the capable had been President rather than the self serving, poor little rich con Don.
Imagining how different things would be makes me dizzy. It would be an alternative universe in virtually every way. What a disastrous 8 years it’s been.
I agree that their refusal to acknowledge is a deliberate evasion of owning their complicity. But I think their everyday bad journalistic practice is more a matter of what they are taught they are supposed to do in journalism and communications schools. And then those habits gets exploited and enhanced by the financial interests of the corporations.
I don't doubt this "bad journalistic practice" has been "a matter of what they are taught they are supposed to do in journalism and communications schools. And then those habits gets exploited and enhanced by the financial interests of the corporations."
What has changed is now that trump is so obviously barely mentally functioning & it has been going on for so long, the sanewashing of it all can no longer be excused as habit.
I have complicated views about what the media’s role should be in a situation like the one we’re in— I’m far from understanding what I think about it, at this point— BUT! I don’t see how the case you’re making could be made any better. As usual, and bearing out what I said above— my eventual thinking about all this, the Hillary coverage and the Kamala coverage both, when it settles down, will be shot through with what you’re saying. I feel like even a position that doesn’t arrive at exactly the same place you have really ought to use your research and perspective as a foundation. I have to say, I’ve come a very long way from what I thought in 2016, and your coverage is the reason. Your media criticism is indispensable.
Thank you, thank you—again. But you’ve got me intrigued. What are your “complicated views” about the media’s role? If you don’t wanna tell the substack world, please just private message me and tell me. I am so, so curious to know what you think!
Even I am not curious about what I think. But sure, I’ll send you a note. I’ll need some coffee first, though. And when I make coffee, my dog gets irritated that I’m not doing something similarly labor-intensive for him.
Oh my god. I actually did write most of it out and then the phone rang and now it’s almost four hours since we had this exchange. Okay, let me go edit and send. Editing usually only takes me about eight or nine hours.
Hahahaha. I’m off to Physical Therapy now—all those years hunched over writing and picking up dog poop have taken a toll—so I won’t be able to see it for a few hours anyway.
The corporate media do not deserve to be taken seriously. The tradecraft on display these days is shabby, poorly informed and researched nonsense. They have zero interest in genuine dialogue or the exchange of ideas - and many journos are probably incapable of such perspicacity and/or intellectual rigour. Consequently, they reach for sound bites and sensation. They’ve morphed into tabloids and infotainment without realising it, but become offended when people treat them accordingly.
A great reckoning is required; however, will not occur without stricter government regulations around ownership (i.e., removing power from the hands of a very few, very white, very rich, very conservative men), and implementation and enforcement of guidelines concerning integrity, accountability and quality, combined with punitive financial action taken against outlets or individuals that knowingly spread lies and misinformation.
It just kills me to realize how hateful some men can be towards women, and I say some because you have a good husband and so do I. So threatened to share a little power. If you can call that power. I don’t call that power.
Was talking to my 15-year-old daughter about this last night. She’s interested in journalism and smart as a whip. When I was growing up, journalists were revered - they were the people you could trust to tell you the facts of a situation. Yes, you might feel their emotion coming through - their exhaustion, fear, heartache, outrage - but you could trust that you were being given the facts. Today? Trump loses his mind in real time, sways to a bizarre playlist for 40 minutes at a Q&A, and it’s covered as a “pivot” due to medical emergencies when we all know if anything like that happened at a Harris town hall? Forget it. They’d be saying it was over for her. The double standard is outrageous, insulting and infuriating. She can’t step a toe out of line, but he can act like a deranged grandpa on a cruise ship who needs a family member to put him to bed. Just like Hillary’s words can be parsed, and he can stalk her on a stage during a debate, and no one stops it, criticizes him for it, or covers it the way it should have been covered. Ultimately I think unbridled capitalism is the culprit. Even democracy seems to be for sale if it means more clicks. Terrifying. Thank you for your work, Susan. The world starts to feel really upside down when no one names the things that are insane, unjust, and threatening the very ground underneath us.
Yes, Susan, Karl gets it right. You are brilliant. This is the most intelligent and thoughtful piece I have read about the awful coverage of Kamala by the press. So glad you reminded us all of the Hillary campaign. And let’s not forget that she won the popular vote in spite of the biased articles.
If I blushed I would be blushing. Thank you so much, Katherine.
The electoral college needs to be abolished or radically reformed.
When people mention the media they may want to focus on profit driven corporations; not an utopian and altruistic fourth estate enshrined in the Constitution whose role keeps voters well informed. Those days have been gone for at least a century. The corporate media's so-called "hard hitting questions" are gotcha traps that stir up doubt and dirt. It's not about informing the voters. It's about increasing viewers/listeners as the justification for raising advertising rates.
Living in Praha in 1999/2000 I watched in disbelief as that election was appropriated by the Supreme Court. We almost trusted the courts back then. The political view was very different from Europe. Now disbelief is everywhere and the gaslight is turned up so bright, none of us know who to trust.
And then AI.
The tech Bros are manufacturing all new gaslighting farms just to assert the overlarge size of their hmm, financial assets.
And the breakdown of trust has affected our faith in even the most trustworthy sources. It’s a nightmare.
Excellent. Thank you. I think the country and the world would have been in a much better place now if Hillary the capable had been President rather than the self serving, poor little rich con Don.
Imagining how different things would be makes me dizzy. It would be an alternative universe in virtually every way. What a disastrous 8 years it’s been.
Yes! Shout it from the rooftops! Thanks for this, Susan1
You’re welcome. And thank you for the encouragement!
I've crossed the Rubicon from "still won’t acknowledge it" to MSM knows, & most is purposeful.
I agree that their refusal to acknowledge is a deliberate evasion of owning their complicity. But I think their everyday bad journalistic practice is more a matter of what they are taught they are supposed to do in journalism and communications schools. And then those habits gets exploited and enhanced by the financial interests of the corporations.
I don't doubt this "bad journalistic practice" has been "a matter of what they are taught they are supposed to do in journalism and communications schools. And then those habits gets exploited and enhanced by the financial interests of the corporations."
What has changed is now that trump is so obviously barely mentally functioning & it has been going on for so long, the sanewashing of it all can no longer be excused as habit.
I have complicated views about what the media’s role should be in a situation like the one we’re in— I’m far from understanding what I think about it, at this point— BUT! I don’t see how the case you’re making could be made any better. As usual, and bearing out what I said above— my eventual thinking about all this, the Hillary coverage and the Kamala coverage both, when it settles down, will be shot through with what you’re saying. I feel like even a position that doesn’t arrive at exactly the same place you have really ought to use your research and perspective as a foundation. I have to say, I’ve come a very long way from what I thought in 2016, and your coverage is the reason. Your media criticism is indispensable.
Thank you, thank you—again. But you’ve got me intrigued. What are your “complicated views” about the media’s role? If you don’t wanna tell the substack world, please just private message me and tell me. I am so, so curious to know what you think!
Even I am not curious about what I think. But sure, I’ll send you a note. I’ll need some coffee first, though. And when I make coffee, my dog gets irritated that I’m not doing something similarly labor-intensive for him.
Take your time. Indulge your dog. I’ll be around whenever.
Oh my god. I actually did write most of it out and then the phone rang and now it’s almost four hours since we had this exchange. Okay, let me go edit and send. Editing usually only takes me about eight or nine hours.
Hahahaha. I’m off to Physical Therapy now—all those years hunched over writing and picking up dog poop have taken a toll—so I won’t be able to see it for a few hours anyway.
We both do too much hunching, I assume.
Amazing piece! Thank you! Every ounce of what you said is true. We are being had by the media over and over and over again. I for one am tired of it.
Thank you Cheryl! Hope you’re subscribed.
Thank you for this. I simply cannot believe the race is this close! 😞
It’s insane!
The corporate media do not deserve to be taken seriously. The tradecraft on display these days is shabby, poorly informed and researched nonsense. They have zero interest in genuine dialogue or the exchange of ideas - and many journos are probably incapable of such perspicacity and/or intellectual rigour. Consequently, they reach for sound bites and sensation. They’ve morphed into tabloids and infotainment without realising it, but become offended when people treat them accordingly.
A great reckoning is required; however, will not occur without stricter government regulations around ownership (i.e., removing power from the hands of a very few, very white, very rich, very conservative men), and implementation and enforcement of guidelines concerning integrity, accountability and quality, combined with punitive financial action taken against outlets or individuals that knowingly spread lies and misinformation.
Agree with all!
Copy editing note: there’s a stray space before the comma in your shoutout to Karl’s comment. Feel free to remove my comment after you correct it.
I always appreciate people pointing out typos. I’ll check it out.
“Thank you , Karl!!“
Brava!
Thank you!
When we know THEY ARE ALL DEPLORABLE!
You continue to be unremittingly incisive in your dogged—and I mean that as a compliment—pursuit to tell the truth.
I take it as a compliment. Thank you!!
It just kills me to realize how hateful some men can be towards women, and I say some because you have a good husband and so do I. So threatened to share a little power. If you can call that power. I don’t call that power.
I am so glad I found your reporting. You truly inspire me to know more. I read your articles daily.
Thank you Shelley! I love that you’re a regular reader!
Was talking to my 15-year-old daughter about this last night. She’s interested in journalism and smart as a whip. When I was growing up, journalists were revered - they were the people you could trust to tell you the facts of a situation. Yes, you might feel their emotion coming through - their exhaustion, fear, heartache, outrage - but you could trust that you were being given the facts. Today? Trump loses his mind in real time, sways to a bizarre playlist for 40 minutes at a Q&A, and it’s covered as a “pivot” due to medical emergencies when we all know if anything like that happened at a Harris town hall? Forget it. They’d be saying it was over for her. The double standard is outrageous, insulting and infuriating. She can’t step a toe out of line, but he can act like a deranged grandpa on a cruise ship who needs a family member to put him to bed. Just like Hillary’s words can be parsed, and he can stalk her on a stage during a debate, and no one stops it, criticizes him for it, or covers it the way it should have been covered. Ultimately I think unbridled capitalism is the culprit. Even democracy seems to be for sale if it means more clicks. Terrifying. Thank you for your work, Susan. The world starts to feel really upside down when no one names the things that are insane, unjust, and threatening the very ground underneath us.