There was a time when Walter Cronkite was the most credible voice in America. If he said “that’s the way it was” the majority of people believed him. They may not have agreed, but most thought what he said was true. Oh, how we need a Walter.
A friend and I were having a debate over one of the many political issues of the day. I have a strong opinion based upon my sources of news and he has similar passion because of what he has read. The problem comes in when neither of us can prove that the source is neutral.
Is there a modern Walter Cronkite that is a voice that can be trusted or an agreed upon outlet that reports facts with minimal bias? At one point in time, presidents or ministers had the corner on believable messaging to the masses, but today even those positions have become partisan and tainted. Social media exacerbates the rumors, innuendos and false reporting which just perpetuates the divide.
In 1987, the Federal Communications Commission eliminated the fairness doctrine and in 2011 it was finally removed from policy. This law required licensed stations to “both present controversial issues of public importance and to do so in a manner that was – in the FCC’s view – honest, equitable and balanced.” We need that law back.
There is growing venom for those who believe differently and no voice in the middle that shares commonalities instead of extremes. We need a Bell Curve media who reports the middle instead of the soundbites that inflame. In fact, I think we need a Bell Curve Party instead of the polarizing two that we have now.
How can you acknowledge the middle today?