Journalists vs. Commentators & Comedians
By Eric Ivanov on 05/20/2009
Category: AwarenessWe know who they are and what they do. TV personalities like John Stewart, Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, and Steven Colbert say they are in the entertainment industry, but the question is: Are they just journalists or commentators?
They talk about things from politics to social issues, making points and broadcasting their opinions to millions of people across the nation. They claim to be entertainers rather than journalists, and therefore expect a free pass from being a trustworthy source of journalism. The problem there is that they have a large audience that often sees them as reputable broadcasters of the truth. Glenn Beck says that his show is his opinion and John Stewart says he's a comedian, but that doesn't absolve them from telling the truth. If they take on issues that are impacting our society they have a responsibility to be honest, ethical, and truthful, so their viewers are not misguided to believe false claims. A journalist: A person who practices the gathering and dissemination of information about current events, trends, and issues while striving for viewpoints that aren't biased.
Entertainment newscasters like Beck and John Stewart can sway public opinion, thus the facade of "I am not a journalist. I am a commentator" is growing increasingly moot. They participate in the gathering and processing of information, then deliver it to the public as the truth of what is happening. That is journalism.
Entertainment newscasters like Beck and John Stewart can sway public opinion, thus the facade of "I am not a journalist. I am a commentator" is growing increasingly moot. They participate in the gathering and processing of information, then deliver it to the public as the truth of what is happening. That is journalism.A perfect example of John Stewart's reporting is his interview with Jim Cramer, the host of MSNBC's Mad Money. When he does things like that he isn't being a "funny man," but an instrument of investigative reporting. Bill O'Reilly and Glenn Beck are classified as commentators, and have immense impact on the opinions of people who watch them.
People on television must be aware of their influence on the general public, and not abuse their power by pulling the wool over our eyes. However, it is the job of the citizen to find the truth in what is said. As the internet empowers the audience, it is important to understand that we have a responsibility to discover truth.
Additional Photos: ["Beck," glennbeck.com, "Stone," RollingStones magazine]
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