An indictment of the media

Behind the big story of Donald Trump dominating the Republican primary is the attempted explanation by the main stream media.    The preferred story line goes something like this:   Yes, Donald Trump is a show business personality and a genius in getting media attention.  But he is also tapping into something that is real -- the anger and betrayal felt by so many Americans that nothing is working to their advantage, and they have lost all trust in government and social institutions, including the media.

That is all true, I believe.   What they leave out is that, while this core attitude is real for about one-third of the Republicans, it is amplified a thousand times over by the media itself.    First, the right wing talk radio and FoxNews TV drill lies and distortions into listeners all day long. convince them that they are not safe and that our elected leaders are incompetent.   Then, when they come out to rallies, the media focuses at great length on the fact that people believe these things -- and amplify it even further.    It's a self-fulfilling prophecy and a self-feeding frenzy.

The bottom line is that, with few exceptions, the media has failed in its duty to clarify the facts and to educate the public.    They're too afraid of being accused of bias and of not providing "balance."     

Bernie Sanders' campaign just called attention to this headline:  “Report: ABC World News Tonight Has Devoted 81 Minutes To Trump, One Minute To Sanders.”    Yes, Trump knows how to grab the spotlight.   If his media attention begins to sag, or when Carson started gaining on him in Iowa -- that's exactly when he chose to make his absurd statement about banning all Muslims -- even American citizens who may be abroad -- from entering the country.   What do you suppose he will say to grab attention now that Ted Cruz is surging past him in Iowa?

Even MSNBC, which I regard as MY source of news on tv, does it.   Chris Hayes, my favorite news show to watch, is obsessed with reporting on Trump.    Sometimes more than half of his hour-long show will be about Trump.   Now, to be sure, he is not promoting what Trump says, by any means.   He's more likely to call him absurd and denounce what he says.   But . . . in terms of air time, Chris is "reporting the news" and Donald Trump is the news.  And then it becomes news that Donald Trump is the news.   And, if a day goes by when he doesn't get a lot of attention, he will say something outrageous that "has to be reported."   Look, I realize that even I am part of it by writing this about Donald Trump.

But where is the mandate to bring education and clarity?

I've given up on my original hope/suggestion that the way to get rid of Trump would be -- simply Silence.   Just a complete media black-out -- no coverage.   He couldn't stand it.   But of course then that in itself would be news they'd have to report.

Ralph