Mainstream National News Media –
That Is The Real National Scandal That Matters Most
(Provided By A Contributing Editor-Updated 3-11-22)
First Amendment – US Constitution – Freedom of the Press
The following statement in red updated on 3-11-22...American citizens should understand there is nothing in the United States Constitution or in any statute at the Federal, State, or local level that requires the "press" or "mainstream national news media" to report accurately, honestly, or truthfully. Nothing prevents any news media source from being biased or misrepresenting what occurred in any event...
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution “prohibits Congress from… interfering with…the freedom of the press...”. This clause in the Constitution is viewed as one of the protections for citizens of the United States. Conversely, the clause is designed to limit the influence of government over citizens and their thought processes.
How this Amendment is portrayed from the time that person is a child to adulthood is that the press has the right to report or convey information to the general public about individuals or officials in government. This is done for the purpose of keeping citizens updated and informed about what people in power and other individuals in government are doing that can affect citizens.
The underlying rationale behind this constitutional clause is that the press should not be restrained from reporting on and releasing information about actions that may be illegal, dishonest, or corrupt. Thus, the mainstream national news media is viewed as being given the power to be a watchdog for the public to ensure there is honesty and integrity in government and particularly with officials who have been elected by voters.
Theories Behind Freedom of the Press
Ideally, “freedom of the press” should be wanted and appreciated by all freedom loving and truth-seeking individuals and this is what the mainstream news media wants the general population to think. The individuals who comprise the mainstream media operate with the belief they have the duty and responsibility to expose wrongdoings and be crusaders who are committed to ensuring honesty prevails. Accordingly, the general public will understandably be inclined to believe and view as credible what the mainstream news media presents.
For that reason, the national news media is given great leeway by the United States Supreme Court, and the general public with how the press is permitted to function. In turn, that same media gives itself great license and discretion in how the press can operate. Indeed, the “free press” clause of the Constitution of the United States gives wide latitude to what can be published.
American Citizens Have Duties Toward Their Government –
This Includes Examining the How the Press is Functioning
Yet, nowhere in the United States Constitution is there a provision that requires or prevents people from exercising their intellect or their judgment in making a determination in how to assess the news they hear. American citizens are free to make intelligent or unintelligent assessments. This includes how American citizens can view the credibility or reputation of the press, or what is commonly known as the mainstream national news media.
The mainstream news media can, is free to, and is authorized to publish information that is both true and false. There is nothing in the Constitution that prevents reporting from any media source to give correct or incorrect information.
American citizens should understand there is nothing in the United States Constitution or in any statute at the federal, State, or local level the requirement that requires the “press” or “mainstream national news media to report accurately, honestly, or truthfully. Nothing prevents any news media source from being biased or misrepresenting what occurred in any event.
As a result, citizens have the duty to exercise their judgment and use their intellect to determine when the mainstream national news media is reporting accurately or inaccurately.
The News Media Years Ago is not the Current News Media
Over 40 years ago, when media was confined to newspapers and then radio and a limited number of television channels, there was the tendency to accept as true most, if not all, of the information about news and events that was reported. However, that was in the past.
The Mainstream Media has Destroyed Its Credibility With
Its Coverage of President Donald Trump
Consider what has happened with the mainstream national news media when Donald Trump, who became the only person other than George Washington who was not a politician, to become President of the United States. For this first time, the mainstream national news media launched an all-out campaign to outright destroy the Presidency of a person who was not a member of the political establishment as well as President as a person.
There were newspaper columns advocating he be impeached as President even before he was named the candidate of the Republican Party and he was elected President in November 2016 and took office on January 20, 2017.
Consider just two the following sources:
Could Trump be impeached shortly after he takes office? – POLITICO (April 17, 2016)
Democrats Are Paving the Way to Impeach Donald Trump | Vanity Fair (December 15, 2016)
The mainstream national news should report what occurred, not be an advocate for or against a political party or candidate. Anyone watching the mainstream news media during the years that Donald Trump was President would know virtually all reporting about him was derogatory. This is evidenced by the following source:
TODD SMITH — Broadcast media coverage of Trump 95% negative | Opinion | djournal.com (August 18, 2020)
Mainstream Media – Synonymous With Falsity or Misrepresentation
Investigations like Russia collusion and the dossier which were viewed as credible and as justification to impeach and remove President Trump from office proved to have no credibility. In fact, the opposite was proved in that the parties purporting such activities by President Trump occurred were who was committing the illegal acts. Such false reporting will not be publicized by the mainstream news media because that institution cannot be depended upon to correct itself.
Here are just some of the accomplishments of President Trump (which will not appear in the mainstream news media):
1. Highest per capita income for all Americans in American history
2. USA became energy independent
3. Highest stock market ever.
4. Overall greatest return on investments ever.
5. Released the USA from disadvantageous trade deals, especially with China.
6. Treaties for peace in the Middle East.
7. Stood up to Iran by attacking an Iranian General in retaliation for an attack by that country.
8. Made European countries pay more for defense
9. No troops introduced in foreign countries
10. Withdrew or greatly reduced troops in Afghanistan and Somalia
The past four years should have proved to thinking Americans that the mainstream national news media (listed in no particular order – CNN, MCNBC (NBC), CBS, ABC, National Public Radio), New York Times, Washington Post) in addition to the three late night entertainment hosts (Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon) are instruments of propaganda.
This is a disservice by the mainstream media to the American public and is not helpful to honest, tax-paying, law-abiding American citizens who have been exposed to falsities and information that is untruthful.
Certainly, censorship of views should not be encouraged and is not advocated here.
Still recognize reality. Consider the following source: Federal judge accuses NY Times, WaPo of being 'Democratic Party broadsheets' | TheHill (March 20, 2021) Undoubtedly, the mainstream news media sources will claim such criticism is unfair and an attack on free speech as provided for by the United States Constitution. However, the purpose is not to restrict free speech but provide an assessment of what type of information is being disseminated. Therefore, if anything, the news sources who dislike such criticism should realize their idea of free speech is what they find acceptable; and views to the contrary should be dismissed or ignored – which would lead ironically to the suppression of free speech.
But people must recognize who is providing the communications, what are the origins of what is reported, and what are the motives of the “press” or “mainstream news media when providing information to listeners.
Sign of the Times
This is exemplified by Lester Holt, NBC News, stating “fairness is overrated” when he received an award at the 45th Murrow Symposium. NBC's Lester Holt says we don’t need to hear both sides to define truth: ‘Fairness is overrated’ | Fox News (April 1, 2021)
His justification for the remark was “the idea that we should always give two sides equal weight and merit does not reflect the world we find ourselves in” and an example was given that there is no dispute the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. However, that mentality only serves to endorse and encourage the bias and one-sidedness.
Furthermore, assuming Lester Holt’s reasoning is considered valid by some people, the problem is that when, by whom, and at one point should an opposing viewpoint not be given coverage or credibility. When extrapolated, Lester Holt’s comments can be result in Totalitarianism.
The reality is in year 2021 there is an extreme biasness with the supposed-free press in the USA which reflects a lack of honesty in reporting as proved by an example of the sources provided above.
This is one of the hazards, not one of the safeguards, of a national news media under the United States Constitution which American citizens should recognize.