The Mind of a Journalist

Objectivity is the golden standard within the journalism world. Which is a great, trendy cliche that the cable news likes to throw around a lot. But is it really realistic? Can someone be passionate about covering the news and at the same time remain a detached, unbiased observer? 

We can find the answer by turning to Major League Baseball. Unlike the NFL, which televises every game nationally, MLB games are usually only broadcasted through local television stations. Every club has their own TV announcers travel with the team to call games, and  unfortunately, many of them seem to be packing their pom-poms and fan jerseys in an effort to root on the home team.

 A recent WSJ study confirms the bias. After watching game broadcasts of all 30 teams, they proceeded to rank the commentators in an "announcer bias index." Of the 30 teams, 25 broadcasts included at least one remark favoring the home team, while the Blue Jays, Yankees, Red Sox, Mets and Dodgers remained objective.

But the bias goes even deeper. Take for example Ken "the Hawk" Harrelson, play-by-play television commentator for the Chicago White Sox. Infamous for his unbridled homerism, fanatic home run calls, and lack of excitement at opposing teams' success, Harrelson's broadcast had an astounding 104 biased comments--by far the most of any team. Here are two of the Hawk's actual home run calls, the first a Conor Gillaspie shot in the seventh inning to take the lead against the Rangers:

"That ball hit high and deep…stretch--STRETCH! Get on back there…they look up—you caaaannn PUT IT ON THE BOOOOOOAAAAAARRRRRDDDDD! YEEEEEEESSSS! YEEEEEEESSSS! Number three for Gillaspie, and the Sox lead it three to two!"

...and this one, a Nick Swisher blast that put the Indians up a run against the White Sox:

 "And the payoff…it is a nine-eight…Indian lead…four runs here in the top of the ninth inning..."

Although objectivity is dying out in baseball, there is still a flicker of hope. Vin Sculley, the voice of the Dodgers since the team was stationed in Brooklyn, remains one of the greatest broadcasters of all time. He never refers to the Dodgers as "we," "us," or "our," doesn't create pet names for players, never gets too high or too low. He has the calling of critical plays down to an art form; showing appropriate excitement without getting carried away in the moment. (Notice that after calling Kirk Gibson's home run, he remains silent for an entire minute and seven seconds, letting the listener soak in the reaction of the crowd. Not many can do it the way Vin does it). 

Baseball doesn't need TV announcers screaming at fans whenever a home run is hit for "their" team. Any glorified fan with a microphone can do that. The magic of the game deserves a higher plane of analysis and commentating.

Like the magic that emulates as Vin Sculley calls a game. 

          

How JFK's assasination changed the media

Rarely does a news story reach the echelon of "I'll-always-remember-where-I-was-and-what-I- was-doing-when-I saw-that" moment. To date, I can think of only five within my lifetime:

•  O.J. Simpson's Ford Bronco slow-speed car chase down the I-405 freeway
• September 11th
• The finding of Elizabeth Smart
• The news report that Osama Bin Laden was captured and killed
• The Boston Marathon bombings 

It's these types of stories that make "watching the news" transcend to "living the news." People become glued to television screens, constantly check their phones, and patiently await any new information. You could drop into a restaurant in Boise, Idaho and overhear the same discussions that people are having in a Boston pub. 

Although it happened fifty years ago, the drama of the JFK assassination still ranks right up at the top of memorable media coverage. In fact, many of the techniques the media now uses to cover big news stories were developed in the wake of the presidential shooting.      

The image of of the infamous event, with the oblivious spectators, confused passengers, and sudden car acceleration has been burned into the minds of those who witnessed the breaking story. That's in a large part due to the networks' use of instant replay, a first for that time. For an unprecedented four days of continuous coverage, people all over the country watched and waited for answers, which were slow to come by. Television cemented itself as one of the top sources for breaking news, and TV news networks reaped the profits of a steady popularity growth. 

The standard of covering big breaking news stories was set by the coverage of the JFK assassination. We never know when the next transcendent news story will hit us. But we know that when it does, we'll all be watching. 

Times’ Stelter speaks on social media at BYU campu

            New York Times media writer Brian Stelter addressed a group of BYU students Wednesday, speaking on the several impacts social media has upon government. Standing before a full Lee library auditorium, Stelter discussed the advantages of communicating with public officials afforded by new innovations in social media.

            “The notion of more two way communication between the public and the politicians or the regulators is something that is equally profound, I would argue. We’ve always had elections. We’ve always had that way to communicate our feelings. But now we can do it in a much more direct way and a much more personal way.”

            Pointing to the ever-growing use of Facebook and Twitter among politicians, Stelter argued the development of a more socially active government. And with more means of one-on-one interaction with elected officials, Stelter sees increases in governmental accountability and transparency.

“(Social media) does allow two-way interaction that couldn’t have happened before. It’s great to go to a town hall meeting. It’s great to stand in line and ask a senator or a congressman a question. But now we can have many more personal and direct ways of doing so, without having to travel, without having to hope we have a chance at the microphone. We have new ways in other words to hold our leaders accountable.”

Freedom of Press

A lot of things have to go right for a society to function in a free and prosperous state. Looking at the world around us, we find that very few besides citizens of the U.S. ever have an opportunity to enjoy freedom. Syria is in chaos, Egypt's government is in the midst of an overthrow, and Russia's president continues to oppress while doing stuff like this. 

It's at these times that the brilliance of liberty illuminates the brightest against the dark backdrop of tyranny. But America must take steps to assure that the freedoms of speech, religion, and the press-- freedoms that are either warred over or suppressed almost everywhere else in the world--cannot be diluted away. That's why last classes' discussion on freedom of the press is so vital for journalists to understand. Freedom of the press enhances and enables freedom of speech and religion, while checking corruption and tyranny.

The media serves as a watchdog against governmental and institutional abuse. It's role is so important that many refer to as "the fourth estate," making sure that the House, Senate and President are all in line. Which makes the timing of this lecture even more valid in view of the recent government scandals that continue to pop out like weeds. Take a look at the controversies that have occurred within the past year alone:

• The Benghazi debacle: Washington doesn't respond to a terrorist attack that kills four Americans, then heaps the blame upon an anti-Muhammad video created by a California man, despite having knowledge otherwise.

• The IRS scandal: The agency knowingly targets and audits Democratic opponents, including members of the Tea Party.        

• The NSA controversy: The agency is accused of collecting millions of American's phone records and emails.

• The AP tapped records scandal: The Justice Department secretly collects two months worth of Associated Press reporters' phone records.

• The Dennis Rodman Kim Jong Ul scandal: The basketball star-turned-ambassador murders the North Korean dictator at a charity basketball event, leading nation-wide governmental confusion which results with Rodman being appointed as the first king of North Korea. (OK, this one really didn't happen, but I would only be half surprised if it did).

The nation now more than ever needs a media that is fearless in investigating and taking down government corruption. American values cannot allow anyone's freedom of thought and speech to be audited by the IRS, or spied upon by big-brother agencies. Infringement upon personal rights must be investigated, reported, and condemned by the media. After all, if the media doesn't do it, who will?