News and Television

Relationships are always interesting. At times they can float along in an easy going manner. Other times, they can be as erratic and edgy as an out-of-control lightening bolt. Sometimes the changes can be sudden while other times they can be gradual. Presently, we are witnessing everyone of these kind of changes in the relationship between the news and and television journalists. More than ever, these journalists seem to becoming more free with expressing their own own perspectives. They also seem to be far more aggressive in challenging those they are covering or interviewing on why those people do not share their views. Fox News, of course, is an obvious example where this is happening with greater frequency. But so, too, is MSNBC. And then there are even the interview shows such as "Meet the Press"on the major networks.

Is this more confrontational style of interviewing simply a new trend in the news business or is it a reflection of the major networks seeking to become more edgy as a way of generating greater audiences and, therefore, increasing their profits? The answer, I suspect, is probably "both." I remain unconvinced that this change is resulting in any greater enlightenment of an issue or even bringing forth new information. Watching more and more interviewers and their subjects talking over rather than with each other leads me to conclude television executives view this kind of display as being highly entertaining and engaging for those who are watching. Maybe so, but it sure makes me long for the days when simply covering and reporting the news was good enough to attract viewers.

I enjoy a tough interview as much as the next person. It is important that our elected officials and those who represent them, for example, be put on the spot as much as possible to explain decisions they are making that affect all of us. But the line between that kind of hard-hitting reporting and simply jabbing a stick in the face of someone just to get a reaction is becoming increasingly blurry. Reporters are not the news; nor should they be. This even applies to the numerous commentators who dominate the evening news shows. But given the thrust of each network's promotional efforts, one would not know that. Sadly, it seems as if news is becoming the junior partner in its relationship with television journalists.