Sigh, yes indeed. Paddy Chayefsky got there first and arguably more prophetically: "Right now, there is a whole, an entire generation that never knew anything that didn't come out of this tube. This tube is the gospel, the ultimate revelation; this tube can make or break presidents, popes, prime ministers; this tube is the most awesome goddamn propaganda force in the whole godless world, and woe is us if it ever falls into the hands of the wrong people, and that's why woe is us that Edward George Ruddy died. Because this company is now in the hands of CCA, the Communications Corporation of America; there's a new chairman of the board, a man called Frank Hackett, sitting in Mr. Ruddy's office on the twentieth floor. And when the 12th largest company in the world controls the most awesome goddamn propaganda force in the whole godless world, who knows what shit will be peddled for truth on this network?"
Wonderful, wonderful article. I must confess tho that I watch David Muir nightly. I’d like to watch Nora, a female, but the timing is not right for me. I have friends who watch PBS😊.
Indeed. And this makes local news coverage in local papers like the Post-Star even more important, since national and state coverage can be found in countless other places. Unfortunately, the trend is in the wrong direction. For example, the Post-Star never actually reported on Hillary Stec's resignation from the Warren County board of supervisors; they only mentioned in passing weeks later when her replacement was appointed by the Qby town board. Establishment types warn us against believing everything we read on social media but social media was the only place you could find info on her resignation!
Like a snippet of Fahrenheit 451....We've just to sit back and listen to our ear buds as the jets fly overhead in the night...programmed infirormation.
Bill Clinton was no prize as Trump was not either. As they've slid down the moral slide of lies and lows supporters have followed.
I'm usually an optimist, but I fear the genie is out of the bottle and there's no way of getting him back in. I watch MSNBC so I guess I'm guilty of ordering from my favorite liberal menu and having it served the way I like it. But when the opinions (news related, yes, but not actual news) are backed by the words of bona fide experts, scholars, teachers I don't feel I'm being molly coddled. I also try to balance my news intake by reading daily newsletter from more conservative sources - The Dispatch, The Economist, etc. I often wonder, Ken, if other parts of our country have a resource like you, a true believer in local news. I hope they do.
The Newsroom was unbelievably prophetic...and one of my favorite TV shows ever. Every journalism student should have to watch every single episode, without exception.
I have admired Sorkin's writing since I viewed The West Wing, and would have enjoyed The Newsroom immensely but I didn't have the channel it was aired on. Thank you for sharing that script with us,. It is just what I would have wanted to hear about the news business as it delineates what the news industry SHOULD be. Thank you for being one of the truthsayers. Also, thank you for your support of the Chapman Museum, the little historical treasure right in the heart of Glens Falls.
Sigh, yes indeed. Paddy Chayefsky got there first and arguably more prophetically: "Right now, there is a whole, an entire generation that never knew anything that didn't come out of this tube. This tube is the gospel, the ultimate revelation; this tube can make or break presidents, popes, prime ministers; this tube is the most awesome goddamn propaganda force in the whole godless world, and woe is us if it ever falls into the hands of the wrong people, and that's why woe is us that Edward George Ruddy died. Because this company is now in the hands of CCA, the Communications Corporation of America; there's a new chairman of the board, a man called Frank Hackett, sitting in Mr. Ruddy's office on the twentieth floor. And when the 12th largest company in the world controls the most awesome goddamn propaganda force in the whole godless world, who knows what shit will be peddled for truth on this network?"
- Howard Beale, Network
Network was way ahead of its time.
Thank you Ken for a timely and crucially important post.
Wonderful, wonderful article. I must confess tho that I watch David Muir nightly. I’d like to watch Nora, a female, but the timing is not right for me. I have friends who watch PBS😊.
I’m a big fan of PBS Newshour.
Hooray for the Chapman! I may go.
I wish someone would just tell us the news....Like Walter Cronkite used to do. No opinions, just the facts that they were presented with.
It's all biased garbage now.
Side note - my daughter is a 46er! What a huge accomplishment this is!
I think many do, but many choose not to accept factual views contrary to their own.
Indeed. And this makes local news coverage in local papers like the Post-Star even more important, since national and state coverage can be found in countless other places. Unfortunately, the trend is in the wrong direction. For example, the Post-Star never actually reported on Hillary Stec's resignation from the Warren County board of supervisors; they only mentioned in passing weeks later when her replacement was appointed by the Qby town board. Establishment types warn us against believing everything we read on social media but social media was the only place you could find info on her resignation!
My wife and I loved that show because of Sorkin's ideals.
Wonderful! I love that show, and Will's rants -- like this one -- at the way things are. Thanks for printing it!
Well stated.
Like a snippet of Fahrenheit 451....We've just to sit back and listen to our ear buds as the jets fly overhead in the night...programmed infirormation.
Bill Clinton was no prize as Trump was not either. As they've slid down the moral slide of lies and lows supporters have followed.
Keep telling hard truths
I'm usually an optimist, but I fear the genie is out of the bottle and there's no way of getting him back in. I watch MSNBC so I guess I'm guilty of ordering from my favorite liberal menu and having it served the way I like it. But when the opinions (news related, yes, but not actual news) are backed by the words of bona fide experts, scholars, teachers I don't feel I'm being molly coddled. I also try to balance my news intake by reading daily newsletter from more conservative sources - The Dispatch, The Economist, etc. I often wonder, Ken, if other parts of our country have a resource like you, a true believer in local news. I hope they do.
I fear most do not.
The Newsroom was unbelievably prophetic...and one of my favorite TV shows ever. Every journalism student should have to watch every single episode, without exception.
I have admired Sorkin's writing since I viewed The West Wing, and would have enjoyed The Newsroom immensely but I didn't have the channel it was aired on. Thank you for sharing that script with us,. It is just what I would have wanted to hear about the news business as it delineates what the news industry SHOULD be. Thank you for being one of the truthsayers. Also, thank you for your support of the Chapman Museum, the little historical treasure right in the heart of Glens Falls.