It has been building for years, and it has come to a head in 2016: The Year of the Evil Media. I’ve tried to ignore it, and deny it, but it has become the 800-pound gorilla.
During my youth, we had three major TV networks, a couple of weekly news magazines, and of course, the newspapers. The daily papers had editorial pages that didn’t interfere with the fairness of the front page stories. Time and Newsweek offered well-written summaries of the week’s news, with a dash of opinion on the side.
Long before the age of cable network shout-fests, ABC, CBS and NBC filled their morning time slots with a teaspoon of news and a barrel of cooking segments and cute animals. They served up thirty minutes of news in the evening, and except for an occasional commentary, the content was pretty much down the middle.
Most folks who are over forty grew up with that steady diet of information, which seemed like plenty at the time. It was more news than our ancestors ever got, and America had elected a few dozen presidents by then.
Now, in what can politely be termed an information overload, we get all kinds of news from thousands of sources. Some are real and others are fictional. How can we tell them apart?
A few years ago, I would have said, “Stick to the sources you know. Your local reporters, the major TV networks, the big-name magazines, and the Associated Press. The others, not so much.”
Now, we’re all lumped together. We’re the mainstream media, the “lame-stream” media, and most of all, the evil media. We’re accused of rigging elections, cooking up false poll numbers, and suppressing the news from one political party or the other. If a certain candidate fails to pay his parking tickets, half the people are going to hate us no matter what we do. If we report that story, we’re attacking the candidate (“The other candidate has done far worse!”). If we ignore the story, we’re covering it up (“Why aren’t you telling the truth about his unpaid parking tickets!).
I used to take offense at such accusations. Believe it or not, I just don’t see that sort of activity at my workplace. I never have. If my co-workers have a strong political point of view, they drop it off at the door, and pick it up on the way home. I’ve never been asked to frame a story to make someone look good, or bad. Perhaps because I’m a sheltered country bumpkin at heart, I assumed all newsrooms operated that way.
Nowadays, I’m not so sure. During the recent presidential campaign, in addition to the cable networks that proudly lean left or right, I was disappointed to see some of the big networks making no effort to be neutral. Certainly each candidate had flaws (how’s that for understatement?) and those shouldn’t be glossed over. Still, I wanted the “legitimate” networks to report the facts, and leave the snide comments to me, in the privacy of my home. The straw that broke this camel’s back was on a network website. The banner headline was about a candidate’s speech at a campaign stop. The story said the candidate’s promises were ridiculous, the reasoning was flawed, and the proposals simply would not work. If this story had been clearly labeled “opinion” or “commentary” I’d have no problem with it. Instead it was presented as a supposedly objective news story, by a network reporter. There would be more to come, just like it.
In recent days, I’ve seen other examples of how and why we are losing your trust. In the immediate aftermath of the Woodmore Elementary School bus crash, a local news outlet simply could not wait on an official death toll, so they put a big number out there, on air and online. It was false. It was not even close. This inflated, inaccurate story was picked up the station’s network, and would soon go worldwide. Since we’re all lumped into the same barrel, we all took the blame, even though one misguided journalist concocted the story.
I’ve also witnessed big-star network reporters march in to Chattanooga to take over the story. I’ve seen one of them spread unsubstantiated rumors worldwide, while another one badgered a teary-eyed first-year elementary principal to justify the hiring practices of an independent bus contractor. There is a time and place for such questioning. This was neither the time, nor the place. (The same guy also bullied his own crew, and attempted to bully a local reporter, who did not back down.)
To be clear, I still have faith in the majority of reporters. Unfortunately, the rudeness, bias, and sensationalism of a few give us all a bad name.
Make me one promise: If you ever catch me making up stories, reporting in a sensational style, or belittling my colleagues, please send me a message. “It’s time to find another line of work.”
Thank you Mr. Carroll! Once again you have nailed it. I have never found you or anyone at your station to be anything but kind, Fair, and professional even in some very difficult situations. I can’t say the same for others. I appreciate your honesty, and how you handle each story. Not a fan of national media but always of you! You are one of a kind as is Channel 3. Thank you!
Thanks. You’re the best.
Just keep it real David! You have nothing to apologize about.
David, don’t apologize for them. You’re real. Thank you.
You are one news man I trust. It is sad how much has changed since Fox News and others even worse are viewed as reliable news sources. Keep up the good work.
I can always count on you David! No need for any apology! Just keep being yourself!
In my experience with the media, wrcb has always been truthful, heartfelt, patient, and kind. The reporters wait for facts to be verified from what I’ve seen and witnessed. Several years ago, my family went through a traumatic event. Local and national media acted more like vultures and seemed like they just wanted a story instead of considering mine and my families feelings…. Except for you guys. Channel 9 I lost all respect for. I was harassed by all media outlets (except channel 3) back then when they camped outside of my home, kept trying to get pictures of me and my family, wouldn’t give me or my family time to grieve, kept asking for “our side of the story,” kept relaying false statements and facts, etc. Channel 3 kept it classy. They gave me their card and said they didn’t want to report inaccurate info but they understood we needed time and asked if I’d call them when I was ready. I’m a loyal fan of wrcb because of that tender hearted reporter that acknowledged that a family was grieving and simply needed time even though they were looking for answers. Wrcb did the right thing with not reporting numbers until it was verified by authorities and reputable sources and I appreciate how channel 3 would rather post accurate information than to report inaccurate information first. You all have earned my respect and I thank you all for everything you do.
Thanks David, unfortunately truer words have not been spoken. We went and voted the 1st day of early voting and quit listening to the national news. Proud to have Channel 3, your coverage of July 16th , 2015 and the bus tragedy were and are covered with dignity and truth for the victims ,families and the community.
Being in communications myself, and as a past newspaper adviser, I am appalled that those who claim to be “journalists” ignore the goal of “truth and impartiality.” Thanks for being one of the “good guys.”
You are the best David Carrol, You have not lost respect from most of us, I hear a lot of good comments about you, by Teachers, and so many more. Keep up the good work, you are a blessing to many of us.
The David Carrol School of Journalism needs to open soon and needs to be required education for all in the field! Good job, sir.
Thank you David. Happy Thanksgiving to you and family and to all of those who are the TRUE reporters.
You are what I call a classy journalist. Your coverage on the night of the bus wreak was heart-felt. I mentioned to my fellow teachers what a professional job you had done the night before. They all agreed that you are top notch. Thank you for being that beacon of light in a profession that is in need of more role models like you.
If everyone in journalism had as much heart and as much integrity as you do, the world would be a different place. We love you David Carroll!
David you are definitely spot on. I have always looked up to you as a reporter because everything you say comes from the heart. I told my wife the night if the wreck that you were a sincere heartfelt and professional reporter. I could tell that you were having a very difficult time reporting this and that it was killing you. Thanks for always keeping it real and factual.
I agree David, even though your own station stuck a camera in a kid’s face at the accident scene.
Actually, my station’s reporter did not stick a camera in the child’s face. The reporter approached the child in a gentle, friendly manner. There were others who chose not to be interviewed, and the reporter did not pressure them in any way.
You went from Facebook where responses can be made freely to a blog where a moderator must approve the comments before posting? Kind of reminds me of the time The Chattanooga Times Free Press took down their public comments web page because they couldn’t control the narrative anymore and got upset when the public started publishing some of Chattanooga’s dirty laundry. David, this is a step backwards in a country that treasures free speech.
Not sure what you mean, Charles. There are comments on Facebook too, as you can see here: https://www.facebook.com/ChattRadioTV/?fref=ts
We are so thankful to have a reporter/ TV personality like David Carroll – he is a generous and caring person. Thanks for all you do for our home town!
we have had no problems with our local new, just the big networks, so we just watch local. you guys are doing a great job!
David, I saw the local reporter who made the outrageous claim (early on) about the death toll. That person is young and inexperienced, and in my mind, looking to latch on to a big story to create a reputation. (You’ll notice I said “reporter”, not journalist.) Putting aside how such a person who lacks basic skills even got the job – or the assignment – what was more appalling was the reaction of the studio anchors, who accepted the outlandish claim with total credulity. Neither of them asked for a source of confirmation, or questioned the accuracy. Neither of them is a young beginner. The male anchor in question has frequently made statements on the air that I personally know to be either inaccurate or flatly untrue. How do we trust anyone? It often seems that the requirement to be a “journalist” is merely to get oneself hired by a station that needs warm bodies on the air, or seeks to please the gods of the FCC with diversity quotas. It is disheartening. Those like you, and you colleagues at your station are a dying breed, and that’s really troubling and sad.
Thank you, David, for the straight forward professional coverage of this disaster. Your heart stayed strong as you continued with the truthful coverage of what had, and what was continuing to happen. It was obvious to those of us watching, that you had very sad news to report, but held back the rumors until you knew they were facts. You stood for hours, as the light gave way to the dark…and never wavered in the professional fashion in which you always have delivered the news. You are a trusted journalist. Thank you for the facts, as well as the human reaction that you shared…the sadness and pain of losing those babies. You will continue as our voice of the truth.
Thank you David. Your honesty and integrity are much appreciated.
David, among your peers, you stand out as the true professional you are. Never, ever does the name David Carroll come up when we discuss one among us who has fallen short in their ability to report the news without sensationalism and/or skirting the facts. In a world where flash so many times replaces substance, you are a giant, a beacon of truth standing tall – always. Maybe it’s because you’ve never lost that “country bumpkin” raising your mom and dad gave you. We Sand Mountain folk are proud of that raising our families gave us. Those of us who watch you (and are fortunate enough to know you) recognize we can trust you. “If David Carroll says it’s so, it’s so – period.” Every young reporter, no matter the medium, should be made to watch your media archives before they ever cover a story in our town. David, I am proud and privileged to call you a colleague and peer.
Thank you for your fair and accurate reporting. I trust you, and look to you when I’m looking for truthful information about education or any local story. Thank you again for your integrity.
David,
Thank you for a tremendous report. You hit the nail on the head. We have gotten so saturated with sheer garbage, reported as news, that it is difficult most of the time to tell the difference. Thank you for making that difference. I have watched you for many years and not only do you always tell the truth, but you are kind and gentle when it is needed. God bless you.
Mary
First of all, this Thanksgiving I am thankful for you! I do not live in your market, but someone forwarded this on to me. Each morning I am blessed to talk millions of people, to which I try to be a beacon of light in this crazy politically charged world. Since we are a non-commercial 501c-3 we can’t comment on the news. For those that are savvy the media bias is obvious, but, to the “Joe average” news watcher, I am not sure whether or not they notice. Your blog post clearly described our problem, but how to we get back? I pray for a change, or the media will make themselves irrelevant because their obvious untrustworthiness. Thank you for continuing to be honest.
You mention “media bias” but David didn’t. He mentioned leaning left or right. Not an in general bias. This leads me to believe you missed his point all together.
Just report local and North Ga. news and let the 7:00 news worry about all the worldly crap going on. I enjoy hearing local positive news and things that are going on in North Ga. and surrounding area. Try reporting more positive and less negative. That may not be the most popular but it would be more positive.
I have to echo another person’s comment above in saying that your station does always seem to report not slant the news and it is much appreciated. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about all media. I do appreciate your honesty and your straightforward reporting. And I especially love your concern for those around you. Keep up the good work as it is much appreciated. FYI: I too voted on the 1st day of early voting and then just stopped listening to all the nonsense flying about the election.
At 75 years old, I have witnessed the evolution of the news media in all formats. At the major network scene, my choice of the “Best of the Best” news correspondent was Walter Cronkite at CBS. Walter always told it the way it was, without ant coloring. David Carol is the Walter Cronkite of Chattanooga. To David, and his colleagues at channel 3, please keep up the good work. We need you!