Monday, June 30, 2008
What we need is a news media overhaul...
NOW!
ABC's World News Tonight surprised me last week. They reported that, thanks to higher fuel prices, manufacturing jobs are returning to the United States. My question is "What took so long? Why has it taken months for them to realize that some good will come from higher gas prices?"
You and I know that there is an opportunity riding the back of every challenge we face. The problem is that we're not looking up. Why? One of the reasons is that the news media keeps reminding us of how bad the situation is. We don't need reminders; we're living it everyday!
Imagine that an acquaintance told you that he'd been diagnosed with cancer. Would you cite statistics telling him that his odds aren't very good? Would you tell him how miserable chemotherapy will make him feel? Of course not! You'd offer him encouragement.
You'd look for the silver lining - medical breakthroughs that have increased his odds for a long life, the wonderful things he will do with his time, the joy he'll gain from the little things he once took for granted. That's how you'd help him deal with his frightening news.
Should we expect less from our news media? I think not. To me, it's reprehensible that our news media intensify fear instead of offering encouragement. I'm not asking that them to be Polyannaish. I simply want them to report both sides of the situation - the bad and the good.
Yes, fuel prices have skyrocketed, but manufacturing jobs are on the rise again and we've just opened our first hydrogen fuel stations. Yes, the dollar is anemic, but that makes the United States a more affordable vacation destination for the rest of the world. These bits of good news receive little, if any, mention.
It's counter-intuitive, but balanced reporting helps us see the opportunity riding atop the challenge we face. It's what gives us the confidence to move forward, speeds our recovery and accelerates future growth. I challenge the news media to adopt a more balanced approach in its reporting. I implore you to be the voice of reason to counteract the irresponsible reporting we're experiencing.
As I put away my soapbox, are there any issues you'd like me to address? If so email me at dale@furtwengler.com.
NOW!
ABC's World News Tonight surprised me last week. They reported that, thanks to higher fuel prices, manufacturing jobs are returning to the United States. My question is "What took so long? Why has it taken months for them to realize that some good will come from higher gas prices?"
You and I know that there is an opportunity riding the back of every challenge we face. The problem is that we're not looking up. Why? One of the reasons is that the news media keeps reminding us of how bad the situation is. We don't need reminders; we're living it everyday!
Imagine that an acquaintance told you that he'd been diagnosed with cancer. Would you cite statistics telling him that his odds aren't very good? Would you tell him how miserable chemotherapy will make him feel? Of course not! You'd offer him encouragement.
You'd look for the silver lining - medical breakthroughs that have increased his odds for a long life, the wonderful things he will do with his time, the joy he'll gain from the little things he once took for granted. That's how you'd help him deal with his frightening news.
Should we expect less from our news media? I think not. To me, it's reprehensible that our news media intensify fear instead of offering encouragement. I'm not asking that them to be Polyannaish. I simply want them to report both sides of the situation - the bad and the good.
Yes, fuel prices have skyrocketed, but manufacturing jobs are on the rise again and we've just opened our first hydrogen fuel stations. Yes, the dollar is anemic, but that makes the United States a more affordable vacation destination for the rest of the world. These bits of good news receive little, if any, mention.
It's counter-intuitive, but balanced reporting helps us see the opportunity riding atop the challenge we face. It's what gives us the confidence to move forward, speeds our recovery and accelerates future growth. I challenge the news media to adopt a more balanced approach in its reporting. I implore you to be the voice of reason to counteract the irresponsible reporting we're experiencing.
As I put away my soapbox, are there any issues you'd like me to address? If so email me at dale@furtwengler.com.
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