Posted on 05/23/2004 9:29:50 AM PDT by Congressman Billybob
These columns now appear in print in the Canyon News, 20,000 copies weekly in Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Malibu and 12 other L.A. communities. A high proportion of those folks could readily turn "The No Bullsh*t News" into reality.
Consider the Sunday news programs. Reporters pretend to ask relevant questions; politicians pretend to answer them. The reporters throw softballs to guests they agree with, or goad political opponents into making unfortunate statements. A minor slip of the tongue gets play if it fits a headline. Who takes these frauds seriously?
Guests try to avoid "committing news in a public place." The punishment for that is losing the next election. The press also fear "committing news." If they scare away potential guests, they’ll lose their next election, measured in ratings points. A few TV moderators attempt to conduct serious interviews. Consider two: Tim Russert on "Meet the Press," and Bill O'Reilly on "The O'Reilly Factor."
Except when his own biases get in the way, Russert does a good job. But his show is successful and attracts top-drawer guests -- talk-show veterans least likely to inadvertently say anything of substance. O'Reilly does a better job, and has more ordinary guests who haven't learned those obscurity skills.
But O'Reilly restricts himself. He’s a cottage industry on TV, radio, and in print. He’s in entertainment first, not news. How else to explain his interview with September Harness, an Indiana University co-ed who’s marketing provocative photos of herself on the Internet without objection from the University? Of course, photos of the unclad Miss Harness (suitably obscured) were broadcast in the story. Entertainment? Yes. But news? No.
Top-notch Internet research can easily establish when a statement by a public official, reporter, or network is inaccurate. One of last week’s lead stories was the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib. Repeatedly, both guests and reporters made false statements about the Geneva Conventions, and about military trials. The guests had axes to grind. The reporters were afraid to ask challenging questions, or hadn’t done their homework, or were deliberately peddling false claims. News was avoided; fraud was perpetrated.
Squeeze out the fluff, add hard facts. Enter "The No Bullsh*t News," suggested by an able colleague. It has three rules.
1. No “cotton-candy” news; filling time with content is not the same as telling the plain, unvarnished truth. Regular TV news wastes 90% of its time on guests who say nothing. We’ll invite retiring Georgia Senator Zell Miller, former New York Mayor Ed Koch, folks like that. The same rule applies to hosts. Only folks who’ll tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may, are welcome.
Ordinary politicians will appear in video clips, thoroughly scrutinized, with humor when deserved.
2. The No BS News will be Internet-driven. Primary and secondary subjects for each week will be chosen on its website, with controls to avoid ballot stuffing.
3. This program will be independent. Networks have restrictions. ABCCBSNBC have lost half their viewers in the last decade, because more and more people distrust them. The big winner is Fox News, but they’re still entertainment-driven. Consider their female anchors: young, pretty, and wearing enough lip gloss to confuse low-flying aircraft.
The No BS News will be pure news. Low-budget, unique, building its own audience largely by word of mouth. Advertisers who agree with this approach will be sought.
How will this show be broadcast? On the Net. More and more Americans have broadband to handle live TV. It would also be provided on satellite for cable systems.
An intelligent, refreshing news program can be done in Joe Friday style, “Just the facts, ma’am.” If you’re interested, let's do lunch.
- 30 -
About the Author: John Armor is a First Amendment lawyer and author who lives in the Blue Ridge. CongressmanBillybob@earthlink.net.
- 30 -
Yes, we will state our viewpoints up front from the beginning.
One way we will have a core audience of knowledgeable folks from the get-go is that every week we will attack top names with hard facts -- both political and journalistic "leaders." They'll have to follow what we say either as a matter of amusement, or self-defense. Take your pick; either one works.
John / Billybob
In raising money, why don't you sell stock? I know I and probably alot of the freepers here would really like to invest......
John / Billybob
My thoughts? After I've read it, congressman. Talk to you later...
Congressional Oversight: Hindsight or Foresight?
With all the hearings going on about 9/11, Abu Ghraib, leaked memos, etc., and Congress justifying the hearings under the umbrella of their "oversight" responsibilities, then why hasn't their "oversight" prevented these these things from happening? Instead, they seem to be reacing to events in hindsight, not foresight.
Some oversight, huh?
-PJ
This seems like an endless topic ripe for ridicule. Normal congressional hearings should be included as well.
Some of the regular features would be:
1. False accusations or erroneous comments
2. Members who had absolutely no substance or value in their comments. We might pick the blowhard of the meeting.
3. Basic questions not asked
4. Real purpose of the hearing
On the other hand, if it real, we would point out some of the good points that came out of the session.
The 9/11 Commission would be a ripe political satire. It is so eggregious that even the networks can't hide the hypocrisy.
Sounds like an idea whose time may be here. This is certainly the place to find talented people who are willing to do research and to write. Let me interview a couple of the FOX ladies to anchor, and it will be off to a good start...
Political Satire? Now there's a thought. Remember "The Slick Times"? That rag had some of the best satire I'd ever seen. Oh, to be that talented.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.