In Search of Responsible Broadcasting Pt. 2
Spin Doctor Pundits
We’re continuing our search for responsible broadcasting.
The subject seems amplified as we find ourselves in the midst of a political season. The closer we get to election day, it seems the more noise we have on the airwaves. It doesn’t matter if it’s radio or TV, the so-called experts, or pundits, are everywhere. Many attempt to tell us they’re not biased. But, to anyone who listens on a regular basis, and if you’re honest with yourself, you soon discover some of these pundits flip flop more than they accused John Kerry of flip flopping. I’m amazed at the number of people who consider these pundits the last word on what’s going on in the nation.
But it’s time to wake up. If you’re trying to find balanced coverage of what’s taking place these days, it’s very hard. For those who are looking for balance there are times where we simply throw our hands up in despair.
We’re surrounded by crazies to the right and loons on the left!
I call these people Spin Doctor Pundits
When did this phenomenon start?
It’s really hard to pin down, but the noise of the pundits probably started when what’s known as the fairness doctrine went away. Now, don’t get me wrong here, I by no way am calling for a return of a ruling that says if I give a conservative 20 minutes of air time, I have to give 20 minutes of equal air time to a liberal. Or, if I give 20 minutes of air time to a Pro-choice advocate, I then have to give 20 minutes of equal air time to a Pro-life advocate. However, I do believe when the fairness doctrine went away for broadcasters, the screamers on both the left and right suddenly found a free-for-all platform with no checks and balances.
Before I go any further, lets define the word pundit. Webster’s has three entries for this word;
- Pandit – A wise or learned man in India. Often used as an honorary title.
- A learned man, or a teacher
- A person who gives opinions in an authoritative manner usually through the mass media. A critic.
I find it interesting how the definition of the word pundit has morphed through the years. The root word is pandit which is an honorary title. In other words, a pandit or pundit does not have to be a learned person. Only on the surface do they appear to be smart. That being the case, they receive an honorary title without doing the actual work. The third definition is the most revealing. A pundit is a person giving an opinion, in an authoritative manner, usually through mass media.
The bare bones definition of the word pundit is critic.
The airwaves these days are filled with irresponsible spin doctor pundits who are nothing more than screaming critics. Of course the problem with a critic is that they’re always critical. No matter what they say, they’re outlook on life is a negative and critical one. They’re never happy unless they’re complaining about something. On the surface it appears they have lots of knowledge. However, if you scratch the surface, you quickly discover a theme screamer expressing their opinion, in a very loud way.
Michael Barone, a Senior writer for U.S. News & World Report probably put it best when he described the crazies to the right and the loons to the left as
Partisan Hitmen.
Of course those on the right and those on the left screaming the loudest are the same ones who will vehemently deny that they are Partisan Hitmen.
They’re nothing more than Highly Opinionated Entertainers
The bottom line is this, the spin doctor pundits are nothing more than highly opinionated entertainers. They’re concerned with ratings and concerned about pumping up their own ego, while padding their big fat bank accounts. They believe the old motto that says – He who screams the loudest wins. – I guess they haven’t figured out yet that he who screams the loudest usually has the most to lose, and the most to hide. The spin doctor pundits also seem to think they’re the only ones who really know what’s going on. I find it humorous when these spin doctors spout off their so-called wisdom. I find it even more amazing, and brazenly egotistic when these same spin doctors have the nerve to tell Presidential candidates that they better “listen to them and do what they say if they want to win.”
For such comments I have only one thing to say to the spin doctors…
If you think you’re so good, why don’t you run for office?
I’m sure their answer would revolve around the fact that they can make more money screaming as a spin doctor. Which of course adds to my case that the screaming highly opinionated entertainers are after only one thing — money.
The spin doctors wouldn’t know what the phrase responsible broadcasting means if it came up to them said “hello.” The sad thing is, since it’s all a numbers and ratings game, it’s becoming harder and harder to find balanced, unbiased news and information anywhere.
All I have to say is, if you’re looking for responsible broadcasting, you will not find it with the Spin Doctor Pundit Partisan Hitmen.
Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus
