God Bless you America. You stood tall and proud and voiced your support for America, thousands strong, and the media didn’t listen. So what else is new? Glenn’s explanation about the left leaning media is only partially correct. Let me give you some insider insight.

As many of you know, I’ve been in the TV news business since 1972. I’m still anchoring in a top 13 TV market. Yes, I have known many left-leaning TV journalists but, for the most part, the folks I’ve worked with tend to be more conservative. There is no left-wing conspiracy controlling us. There is a mindset, though, that tends to take over in the absence of free give-and-take among those covering the news.

So why then was their such a lack of coverage?

Local TV stations are always short staffed on the weekends. Rallies of any kind are rarely covered unless there’s a chance they could become controversial or juicy. Anti-anything gatherings attract coverage because, by the very definition of the word news, they present the greatest opportunity for attracting an audience and creating interest. That’s why a rally celebrating good news, apart from maybe the super bowl, is less likely to attract coverage than a protest. That’s excuse number one.

Excuse two. Local radio stations put these rallies together. They are viewed by TV and newspapers as promotional events, no different than wet t-shirt contests, car give aways, or the spring home show or trade convention. To cover the event is to give away free air time or space. That’s a no-no!

Excuse three. Talk radio hosts started these rallies. We all know Glenn and those local hosts that supported the event are well informed, thoughtful, and influential individuals in their own communities. But newspapers and TV stations, often times in their own stupidity or snobbery, do not acknowledge that talk show hosts are anything but pure entertainers. Host are on the lunatic fringe. They do not have the ability to see both sides of any issue; therefore they are completely biased and easily dismissed. The rallies weren’t given much credibility because talk radio isn’t given much credibility. It is a venting mechanism slanted to angry white men. It hurts, but that’s the way it appears inside the circle.

Excuse four. We must cover both sides of every issue. That’s why we ran several paragraphs about those protesting the war as well as those supporting it. And that is such pure bull. I remember several years ago there was a huge pro-life rally with over 25-thousand people lining a major US highway. So what showed up on the air? Almost 40 seconds was spent with 4 women who lined up across the street from the pro-life rally carrying signs saying, “Keep abortion Legal”, and about 30 seconds with the rally itself. I asked the reporter the next day why she had put the story together in that fashion. She told me she thought it was a much more compelling story to see these few brave ladies standing up to this huge Goliath rather than the thousands lining the road praying and singing songs. I asked here if she interviewed the one armed child who was disabled through a botched abortion. No, she thought that was too sensational and missed the point. She’s no longer in the business, thank heaven.

This kind of thing happens every stinking day in the media. Reporters and assignment managers and editors in the high towers refuse to reflect or are unable to see the reality of situations. They forget to bring context to their stories. They are so busy serving the God of Balance they forget to serve the God of Truth. It’s one of the shortcomings of a lot of our journalism schools, perpetuated by this notion that newspapers are the only institutions charged with the safe keeping of all the oppressed and down trodden.

Now, there is no excuse for the national media! They put all the stories around the world on their little balance and good video meter, with a ton of left leaning attributes, and forge their world view in 22-minutes. Again, controversy is king and since supporting our troops isn’t very controversial and protesting the war is more courageous and more hip, than you guess what gets covered.

And again, I can’t stress enough how much traditional media looks down on talk radio. The only see self-serving promotional efforts and not the message that’s being delivered. You bet it stinks and it’s not fair and on and on. But that’s the way it is.

Now here’s the kicker. You are going to sit back and take it. You won’t bother calling your local newspaper or local TV station to complain. You will bitch and moan and call Glenn and the other talk show hosts and vent and think you are accomplishing something. Forget it. If you don’t like the way newspapers or TV cover or don’t cover events than hit them where it counts. Go to their advertisers and tell them you aren’t going to buy their products. Cancel your subscription. Call that local car dealer or eating establishment that advertises and tell them just how much money they are going to lose because of the way the newspaper or TV station treated your event. This is a money game. You’re rally was wonderful. But your dollars will speak louder to those newspapers or TV stations than any rally. I guarantee-dang-tee-it, the next time you rally in support of America…. they’ll show up. They may be liberals but they’re not suicidal.

Al Ruechel, Copyright 2003, All Rights Reserved

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