We Won't Get Fooled Again??

I want to shed some "lyte" on investigative journalism.  Last night Jon Stewart, host of the "Daily Show" had Jim Cramer, a financial talk show host from CNBC, on his show.  All this week, the media has been all atwitter about a feud between the two and Jim Cramer bravely faced the lion last night.  

What I find sad is that it seems that the only worthwhile investigative journalism is happening at Comedy Central.  Not at CNN, or MSNBC, or any of the big Three.  (Note that Ieft out Fox News, it is not a news network, it is a propaganda arm for the conservative right.)  Jon Stewart asked some pointed questions, and had at his disposal an arsenal of video clips to counter the meek "I tried, but they lied." defense of Cramer.  Just an aside, I hate the word "try", I had a boss who used to say, "Try denotes failure."

This isn't the first time that Stewart has turned his withering eye and wit on subject that the mainstream media holds at arm's length.  "The Daily Show" was way ahead of the curve on the Iraq invasion and occupation as well.  They were hip to the fact that the previous administration was a house of cards from day one.  But why should we have to rely on a comedy show to tell us the truth when we have armies of TV, radio, and print reporters?

You hear a lot about the demise of newspapers these days.  Most of the time the blame is laid at the feet of the medium I am using right now, the Internet.  But I think conventional wisdom is missing an important point.  One reason people are moving away from newspapers and other traditional information sources is that over the past 8 years they have consistently ignored, covered-up or abetted lies foisted upon the American people.  

The run up to the invasion of Iraq, the decimation of our civil liberties, the aftermath of Katrina.  These are just a few examples of the failures of the Fourth Estate to do its job.  When you have a former male prostitute as part of the White House press corp, people will question the validity of all the press.  

Sooner or later the American people catch on.  Yes, we have short attention spans and are distracted by shiny things like the "octo-mom", but our noses work and we can tell when something smells.  

So mainstream media, I would sit down and watch Jon Stewart's interview of Jim Cramer.  You all need reminding of what your job truly is: asking the tough questions, digging for the truth, and using the bully pulpit you have to inform the public.  Unfortunately, that is virtually impossible since the people who sign your checks are the very people you should be investigating.