MEDIA: A citizen's advice

The media are continually telling us how vitally important they are to democracy. Many — too many — consider themselves above criticism and are outraged when their reporting is challenged, but just pick up any edition of many newspapers or listen to many of the TV talking heads and you will immediately find plenty of cause for challenge: lies, damned lies, half-truths, slanted headlines and whole stories, emphasis on anything negative while ignoring the positive, article placement, piling on, innuendo, snide remarks, etc. “Fair and balanced” hardly to be found. I even heard a CNN “reporter” asking a guest how Trump would react to something and then mumbling “who cares?”

The media in general are grossly offended that their exalted position of judging without responsibility is finally threatened by someone who fights back. They could put an end to the conflict and regain respect by being honest. Now there’s an idea.

HANS NEUMANN

Spirit Lake