Fake News

One of Donald Trump’s common terms or catch phrases when he rants and raves on social media would happen to be “fake news”.  This pejorative is commonly aimed at news outlets like CNN and other media outlets that cover him, fairly or not. CNN et al commonly recoils and reacts to that term in very negative and reflexive ways. There is some truth to what Trump says about the media, at least in some instances. However, to suggest that lies and deceit are the only problem in the news media and/or that it is only limited to CNN or the anti-GOP side of the argument is simply not true. While the media has some issues and propaganda is indeed a problem on the social media sphere, “fake news” is far from being the only one and politicians have their own faults and flaws.

Analysis

The author of this response wishes to be precise when it comes to this argument. The assertions that will be made can be generalized. However, so that the arguments are precise and measured, some specific examples will be used. As such, the CNN vs. Trump volleys will be the main focus. Trump actually has a point, at least at times, when it comes to CNN doing “fake” or otherwise shoddy news (Klein and Wueller). At the same time, there are plenty of instances where CNN is absolutely a legitimate news organization that is doing its job. Which applies at any given time, of course, depends on the details of the situation. Conversely, there are times where Trump has a point about his criticisms of the news industry, whether it be CNN or otherwise. However, there are other times where he is clearly over-generalizing or is otherwise deflecting from something he is concerned or embarrassed about. Despite the failings of these arguments, it does not stop CNN or Trump from over-generalizing, cherry-picking the details that they wish to focus on or otherwise being intellectual dishonest or, for lack of a better word, juvenile. An example of Trump clearly behaving badly would be when he tars and feathers all of CNN for the actions of a few people. On the other hand, when CNN makes it a point to focus on whether or not Sara Huckabee Sanders, the current White House spokesperson, actually baked the chocolate pecan pie that she featured on Twitter over the Thanksgiving holiday, that is a clear example of people that need to remember what their job is (Miller).

 The point is that both Trump (and many other politicians like him and CNN (as well as other media outlets) are simply not being adults and measured in what they say and do in the news, political and social media spheres. When it comes to Trump, he needs to stop being so incendiary and general in his criticisms. When it comes to CNN, they need to focus on doing their job and presenting news stories that are informed, complete and that are free from trying to score political points. Both sides are grossly unfair and biased when it comes to what they say and do. The current sexual assault/harassment scandals in the political sphere are just one example. Trump tends to be fixated on Conyers and Franken, presumably because both of those men are Democrats. However, CNN is focusing a little too much of their energy on Roy Moore and Trump. The point is that it is all disgusting and vile. All of the men, those of which that are guilty, should remove themselves from office (or be removed) as they have no place in the political sphere if they feel it acceptable to engage in that behavior. The much more recent fall from grace of Matt Lauer is another example. The media should be concerned about its own employees and their behavior if it is wrong, in addition to the malfeasance of any politicians. It should not come down to news versus politicians or Democrats versus Republicans (Scarry).

Being intellectually dishonest is being intellectually dishonest. It should not be a staple of any politician or media person. However, it happens every day. There are political hacks and hypocrites all over the place in both spheres and it is extremely frustrating and unseemly. It is just one symptom of both the media and the political sphere being blisteringly partisan and skewed. Beyond that, there is a nexus between what is actually presented on the media sphere and what is designed to bring in voters. Quite often, the latter is based on the political bent of the desired viewers. CNN is far from the only news outlet that does this. Fox News does it for the right-wing crowd all of the time (Ha, Ji & Shin). However, anyone that would only focus on Fox and their misguided programming tactics is a hack. The same is true of anyone that only focuses on CNN or only on MSNBC. It is all a problem and it should all change. The people are getting sick of it but the media is not reacting. To be fair, the same is true in the political sphere. Politicians like Trump are focused on who gets credit, not working with the other side and not compromising. Precisely that is happening right now with the current budget squabbles (Phillips).

Conclusion

There is the idea that ideology does matter. There are such things as values and norms that people believe in. However, given the rather demarcated nature of society and those ideologies, there is the need for some compromise and working together. It is possible for people to get the things that they want while at the same time ceding some of the same of the other side. As for the media, it is unfair to question the freedom and rights of the press. At the same time, invoking that when valid criticisms of the media and their bias or puerile behavior is just a reflexive defense that deflects from the truth that underpins those criticisms.

Reflection

The idea or step that was most important when it came to the final draft would be being able to turn off one’s political bias or lens. Indeed, everyone that cares at all about politics is going to have an opinion on Trump, other politicians and the media that covers all of the above. Further, even if it is known to a given person that much of the media is biased, there is instead one’s own personal bias and what sort of bias is tolerated, ignored or accepted by that same given person. To engage in a proper analysis of the “fake news” paradigm, one has to be fair, analytical and honest about what that means. Of course, the genuinely fake news that is pumped into Facebook and other sites is an obvious problem. However, to suggest that the same sort of issue is not present in the political and standard media spheres is simply untrue.

Given the above, the steps taken were to assess the major players in the paradigm, what they have been saying and doing and how that squares with the reality and facts of what is really going on. Indeed, CNN and other media firms are doing “stories” and “coverage” that is just childish and stupid. However, some of those same firms are also doing some pretty good work. It is not an either/or situation. The same is true with politicians, and that would include Trump. There are times where Trump is measured and fair. Other times, he runs off at the mouth and says some silly or unfair things. Both parties speak in absolutes and hyperbole, knowingly or unknowingly, and it just serves to pollute the discourse and complicate the situation unnecessarily. Further, there are both politicians and media people that are guilty of some perverted sexual banter or behavior. Trump himself has been accused of this. However, many media people have as well. The point of saying all of this is that the perspective levied in the report above is recognizing that the soundbites and political/media points being scored do not accurately or completely address what the reality happens to be. Rather than just further pollute and mar the arena of ideas, the report above is meant to clear some of the fog and confusion that that is willingly or unwittingly created by other parties. It is only when this becomes the norm that the current maelstrom of idiocy and immaturity will be done away with. There are plenty of people that seem to know the paradigm is pretty messed up. However, there are not enough people that know enough to change the direction and/or that care to do so, at least at this time. This is just one part of a larger effort to change that pattern.

In short, the steps were to consider what the media/politicians are saying, how accurate it is, how knowing any inaccuracy happens to be and so forth. This will thus inform what should be said to analyze all of the above in a way that is complete and not itself biased. Beyond that, the essay is structured in a way that shows that neither side’s malfeasance is being favored or ignored. Rather than just harp on Trump or just harp on the media, there is instead specific condemnation of misbehavior from both sides (as well as both political sides in general) along with specific examples of what each side is doing wrong. Indeed, Trump saying “fake news” whenever he disagrees with CNN is wrong. However, CNN being so petty about the pie thing with Sanders is also insipid and simplistic. It takes diligent, honest and complete thought to truly encapsulate the problem and call it what it is.

Works Cited

Ha, Jae Sik, et al. "Selective Exposure to Partisan Media: Moderating Factors in Evaluations of

the President." The Social Science Journal, 17 May 2017. EBSCOhost,

doi:10.1016/j.soscij.2017.05.003.

Article that covers the fact that many news networks cater their program to those with a certain political bent. It is also noted that this is desired and preferred by those viewers that have selective habits about the political shows and coverage that they wash.

Klein, David O. and Joshua R. Wueller. "Fake News: A Legal Perspective." Journal of Internet

Law, vol. 20, no. 10, Apr. 2017, pp. 1-13. EBSCOhost.

“Fake” news covered from the perspective of freedom of press versus concerns about bias, slander and selective coverage. It is covered that the linkages and relations are nebulous and complex.

Miller, Emily. "Opinion | In Defense of Sarah Huckabee Sanders." Washington Post. N.p., 2017.

Web. 1 Dec. 2017.

A response and reaction to the rather odd coverage relating to Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the pie she showed a picture of on Twitter.

Phillips, Amber. "Analysis | 5 Very Real Scenarios That Could Lead to A Government

Shutdown." Washington Post. N.p., 2017. Web. 1 Dec. 2017.

An article that covers the current chances and threats of a government shutdown. It would seem that the DREAMer situation is going to be the main bargaining chip.

Scarry, Eddie. "Sexual Harassment Scandals Are Blowing Up the Media." Washington

Examiner. N.p., 2017. Web. 1 Dec. 2017.

A coverage of the many scandals involving media personalities and stars. Examples include Charlie Rose, Matt Lauer and Garrison Keillor. It is noted that the depth and breadth of the scandals and who is being entangled is having wide-ranging effects of multiple types