An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Will “News”papers Heed The Advice?
Mostly likely…..nope! In a letter to the editor, Mr. James makes some REAL good points.
Real news, not propaganda, needed
Tom Hrach (April 19 Viewpoint column, “Save democracy for 75 cents a day”) is correct that some coverage of local issues would be lost if a city’s daily newspaper closes. However, newspaper circulation is down at least in large part because such coverage is already either missing or so politically bent that its value as news is questionable at best.
I know all the far-left parrot lines. I see no news value in seeing them repeated in every news column as if they were new or interesting. I want to know what’s going on in the area, important things and the issues behind them.
I do not need propaganda while such issues are barely, if at all, touched on. A list of gun owners with conceal carry permits is not news. Neither is portrayal of thousands of taxpayers protesting government abuse as a small group of racists.
Newspapers once reported news and left their politics mostly to the editorial pages. Today, most major newspapers have become nothing but mouthpieces for left-wing causes. I’m atheist. If I want to be preached to by people I disagree with, I’ll go to church, and it’s free. Perhaps you should make The CA free and just pass the plate once a week.
Should the Memphis area ever again have a daily newspaper dedicated to the news, then I’ll consider shelling out 75 cents a day.
William R. James
Lake Cormorant
When I read a newspaper, or watch it on the idjit box, all I want are facts. I honestly don’t want the gushing that you see so often these days on any given alphabet station. Katie Couric might have been perky at one time, which was annoying enough, but nowadays, she’s just down right revolting. If I tune in to watch an interview, ask factual questions. Leading questions of left wing propaganda are NOT newsworthy.
Way back in the stone age, in my high English class, we studied a bit of what journalism was all about. There were rules in writing any article for the news, and we, naturally, had to do some excercises in writing a ‘news story’. Something that I remember from that class: the rules, known as the ’5 W’s'!
* Who? Who was involved?
* What? What happened (what’s the story)?
* When? When did it take place?
* Where? Where did it take place?
* Why? Why did it happen?
Of course, there’s also the “how”, but it would be silly calling them the ’5 W’s and an H’, wouldn’t it.
That’s all I need to know when I read, or listen to a news story, ‘who, what, when, where and why’, plus how it was done. I don’t need the extra commentary from the one doing the reporting. I don’t care what his/her opinion is on the subject matter. I’m quite capable of coming to conclusions on my own, and am able to form an opinion based on the information that is given.
So, I would suggest that Mr. James’ advice for the Memphis Commercial Appeal be taken to heart by ALL of those who consider themselves to be purveyors of news, and report…..”Just the facts!”
This coming from someone who watches Faux News and finds them to be “fair and balanced/”
Do you ever watch anything other than Olberdud?
I don’t even have cable or a dish, so no Olberman for me.