Big story of 2005: Crash of confidence in media by Michael Medved

Source: http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/medved122705.asp

http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com | Hurricane Katrina highlighted the biggest story of 2005 — but that story had nothing to do with flooding or destruction.


Hysterical news accounts, initially exaggerating dead victims by a factor of more than 10 to one, demonstrated the irresponsible nature of U.S. media.


Similarly, news coverage of the Iraq war always emphasizes the negative, downplaying all positive developments. More and more in 2005, the public distrusted mainstream media — with opinion surveys showing journalists even less trusted than politicians.


Hiring of new anchors — even including Katie Couric — won't win back confidence of a public highly suspicious of supposedly fair-minded network stars. At the same time, the sharp box office decline in Hollywood shows disillusionment following the leftist, highly partisan role of the entertainment industry in the recent election.


When historians recall developments of the year just passed, reduced confidence in all forms of mass media will look like one of the most significant changes.



JWR contributor, author and film critic Michael Medved hosts a daily three-hour radio talk show broadcast in more than 120 cities throughout the United States.