Jon Stewart and the Shame of Journalism

Inside Television 534

Publication Date: 12-31-10

By: Hubert O'Hearn

Jon Stewart named Man of the Year

As this column appears in print on New Year's Eve, I am reminded of the oft-repeated words of the late Ed McMahon: 'New Year's is a night for amateur drunks'. So therefore sir, you and I as professionals need to set an example for all the kids out there. There is both a right way of doing things or a drive off the highway way. You want to go with that first one.

For instance, just because at midnight that bottle of expensive scotch on the sideboard looks an awful lot like that jug of Mateus you lugged into the party at eight does not make it yours. You don't want to get kicked out in the snow because frankly right about now you couldn't drive a nail let alone Dad's truck. So be advised.

Now then – I used to write a column for pwtorch.com, the best pro wrestling news website. The of course there were multiple hospitalizations from our house that left me and the dog staring at each other with little thought balloons appearing over our heads that read, Who's Next? So the hobby writing dropped low on the priority list.

Anyway, the editor – Wade Keller – posted a question on the Torch website this week that I thought was a good way of approaching the New Year. He asked, What would you like wrestling to give you in 2011?

I responded to it, not that I'll belabor you with the response. Search the site and you'll find it. But I do have an answer to my own version, What would I like television to give me in 2011?

The New York Times this week stated that comedian Jon Stewart is the Edward R. Murrow of today, specifically for focusing on the issue of the lack of publicly-funded health care for the 9-11 first responders. Many of them have suffered from debilitating respiratory illnesses from the carnage they inhaled, among other sicknesses afflicting them, and Stewart essentially shamed the U.S. Congress into passing a Bill that was dying on the order paper which covered the first responders' needs.

As much as I admire and applaud Jon Stewart for this and many other actions, I think that virtually every legitimate journalist should feel as shamed as the obstructionist Congressmen. Every Western democracy, for this isn't just an 'American thing', has a reflexive belief in protecting the freedom of the press. One innately believes in this, like the acceptances that babies are cute, no one cooks like Mom, and when mice wear pants and appear in a drawing they have the ability to speak.

But press freedom is only worth defending if the press actually does its job. Its only purpose should be to challenge authority. All authority. Government, business, religion, scientific, economic, labour, ethical and overall philosophical. That's the job gentlemen.

The most ridiculous proposition in today's journalism (specifically here we'll deal with television journalism) is that somehow having a one-track attack as an editorial decision, whether its from the right or the left is somehow a breath of fresh air. Feisty! Provocative! Giving them fat cats hell!

That is a bigger load of rubbish than all the discarded trees and bags of ruined wrapping paper to be found tumbled the streets on the first garbage pick-up day after Christmas. Fox News or the upcoming Sun TV in Canada aren't revolutionaries: they are panderers. They pander to the interests of power and capital, of a permanent war mentality that cannot be challenged, and at a concentration on the glamorous or infamous figures at the top rather than the needs of the millions and the billions.

By the news – broadly stated – not challenging equally it challenges nothing. It merely reinforces the opinions of its audience, pitting right vs. left, whereas the true battle should be bottom vs. top. The audience seeks out opinions that it agrees with already. Do remember that the definition of a genius is a man who agrees with you about everything.

To close with something quite specific, News, Entertainment, Weather and Sports are all legitimate public interests. But I want them kept separate. Unless the result is absolutely of massive public interest, like Canada winning the gold medal in hockey, I don't ever want to see a sports story on my half hour or sixty minute newscast. I don't want to see or hear anything about Michael Jackson's kids unless I tune into or surf over to a place that features entertainment information.

Stop occupying our minds with bread and circuses. Even a circus can get boring after a while.

Here's the good news. We survived another year. That means we win. Be seeing you.

(If you'd like to read more of my commentary, my book review pages can be found Here.)