Hello? Is Big Media There?

I pointed out that misleading information had been published on a policy issue by (1) special interests, (2) bloggers, and (3) Big Media. The ACLU, JM Bell, and Brown Views all accepted my invitation to respond. The point of public discourse isn’t for them to admit that I’m right (though I always am). The point is to have the discourse – and allow the public to watch and, ideally, participate in that discourse. That way – even if the ride is a bit bumpy – we reach a good outcome or at least one most of us can stomach.

It is interesting that Big Media won’t go there. They talk. We listen.

Yes, Big Media blogs. Sort of. But the aristocracy of the Fourth Estate rarely, if ever, mixes with the plebes in the comment threads. Why not? Because it is a lecture, not discourse. They talk. We listen. Sure, we can talk among ourselves while we await their next proclamation, but the Earls and Dukes won’t actually reason with us. They refuse to defend their veracity, their reasoning, and their conclusions. As a result, they are increasingly ignored.

A writer from a major newspaper recently remarked how his industry holds tabloids in contempt. To an increasing number of people, it’s all the same: made-up stuff or very-poorly-sourced-and-heavily-slanted stuff intended more to incite or excite than to enlighten. Newspapers could have such a great role in public discourse. But in these wonderful, disintermediating times they would have to actually engage in discourse, and that’s a leap they seem unable to make.