"And though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play upon the earth, so truth be in the field, we do injuriously by licensing and prohibiting to misdoubt her strength. Let her and falsehood grapple; whoever knew truth put to the worse in a free and open encounter?"
-John Milton 1644
Truth is an essential component of any democracy. A public must be well informed in regards to social, cultural, and political issues in order to actively partake in the affairs of government and society. Without, as the Hutchin's Comission stated, "a truthful account of the day's intelligence," how is it possible for a citizen to formulate a stance on civic issues? A citizen is a gross underestimation. If the American populace is being led astray by the fruits of misinformation, preached by media giants such as Fox news, do we still possess an active role in government policy, civic understanding, and reality as we conceive it?
Centuries earlier, John Milton believed in a self righting process. He held that if truth were cast alongside fallacy that it would emerge as victor. Since we are inherently rational beings, a falsehood may be briefly accepted, yet the eventual emergence of truth would prevail. Perhaps he didn't imagine the capabilities of contemporary media, and the extent to which they may poison vast publics with misconception. Being fed a persistent diet of misinformation slowly exacts its toll, distorting our perceptions of vital social, cultural, and political issues.
Fox News does just that. While framing its coverage to suit a larger agenda, it victimizes the American public, leaving them deprived of the information necessary to lead informed lives. Exacerbating this injustice, is Fox's popularity. It has been consistently rated the number one most watched television news program for the past decade. Problematic? Yes, especially when taking into consideration that its viewers are armed with misinformation in the political arena. With an advertantly conservative agenda, it betrays the very code of ethics by which it should impose self regulation.
Fox flagrantly violates many of the ethics established by the Society of Professional Journalists, including:
Make certain that headlines, news teases, and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not over simplify or highlight incidents out of context.
Tell the story of diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.
Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others.
Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.
Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.
Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.
It would seem as though the entire scientific community is at odds with Fox, chiefly in its proclaimation of the global warming conspiracy.With its obdurate disregard for truth, or any rationale for that matter, we hereby relegate its claims to Steven Colbert's realm of Truthiness.
Terminology
Framing- is the central organizing idea for a news story that supplies a context and emphasizes certain aspects of a story while minimizing or ignoring others.
Truthiness-"is what you want the facts to be as opposed to what the facts are. What feels like the right answer as opposed to what reality will support."
Selective Perception- as a result of different backgrounds and formative influences, as well as media choices, individuals see and make sense of the world differently.
Selective Exposure- based on how we see the world, individuals tend to pay attention to information that is relevant and familiar to their experience.
Selective Retention- we remember best the information that confirms our beliefs and values, while forgetting the information that contradicts our beliefs and values.
Agenda Setting- the media may not tell us what to think, but they do tell us what to think about. Through their selection or de-selection of what is "news", the mass media serve to create an agenda for social discourse.
Gate Keeping- the media decides what stories to cover based on a variety of factors that include, personal beliefs, economic influence, importance, and audience worthiness. Reporters and editors choose what to report and put in the news.
By Mason Lenches-Jhamb
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