HBO’s The Newsroom vs. Mainstream media lies

Published time: June 28, 2012 17:52
Edited time: June 28, 2012 21:52
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The first episode of HBO’s The Newsroom tells of journalists desiring to bring the fourth branch of power back to television. RT looks at how the truths about journalism expressed in the show are more honest than what Americans see on the news.

Slapping the face of mainstream American journalism and speaking truth to power

“When you ask, what makes us the greatest country in the world – I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about,” says the main character of the new HBO series “The Newsroom,” Will McAvoy.

The fourth branch of power is finally back hitting America’s screens in a TV show, not in reality.

“A lot of countries do things better than the United States, but we can’t even have that discussion – because you are shouted down as unpatriotic,” said editorial columnist and author Ted Rall.

Brutal truths on what journalism should really be about and the passion to question the status quo as well as the fear mongering of real broadcasts – examples of absurdity taken to an extreme on TV news are aplenty in the new show.

As viewership on real mainstream media plummets, the show adds insult to injury by portraying common news show behavior, including finger-pointing and pretending to be interrupted to add fuel to the fire. Amid critical reviews, a TV show about the news – more honest than real news.

“Show business is doing a better job than the news business in presenting news. It’s a complete flip around,” said media critic and blogger Danny Schechter.     

“A lot of reporters, producers and news anchors who look at this show should be blushing, should be thinking ‘Urgh, he got us here,’”, said news commentator TJ Walker.

When a fictional anchor fights for substance on the news, he is resisted by the system in real American mainstream newsrooms – this straightforwardness is a myth.

“Nobody really likes to bite the hand that feeds them,” added TJ Walker.

Instead, infotainment is king.

“There is a deliberate effort here to say, truth be damned, we have to do what we have to do to get audience. It seems to take years before truth catches up with news,” said Danny Schechter.

Until then – there is no room for real news in US newsrooms.

“You’ve got way too much crap focused on just vapid stuff like reality television, what happened jersey shore,” said Ted Rall.

The mainstream media today focuses on pitch and spin, not angering corporate owners or challenging the system. Uncomfortable issues, opinions deemed politically incorrect or the questioning of long held beliefs about America, it seems, are best left to TV drama.

Comments (6)

marsha (unregistered) 23.07.2012 17:59

This review is a great summary of The Newsroom and the controversial message that it portrays, but I’m curious to hear whether or not you agree with it! I happen to agree with Sorkin, as unpopular of an opinion as that may be. I think more important than the left-wing message depicted in the show is the fact that it has uncovered the problem with Media biases, opened the eyes to many that were unaware of the issue, and has created conversation about it among the audience. Whether it is a big media institution that is talking (as the previous commentor mentioned with NPR) or just a debate around my office at Dish, the conversation is present and, as a result, people are becoming more educated on the topic of our mainstream media institutions and the flaws that exist within; that is what is so great about the show and the major reason why it remains a top priority on my DVR recording list! That being said, I do have the Hopper DVR that is known for its large amount of recording space so, if the show does turn out to be terrible (like the media is hoping for), at least I didn’t waste precious memory on it. So far, I am very impressed and excited to see if it has the potential to change the way we view our news today!

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Keith Richard Radford Jr (unregistered) 30.06.2012 22:48

Do we not see the balance maintained only due to the tipping of scales by all things being offset. Where does our money go when we donate to charities. We know it goes to commercials to get more money for who? The same meat grinder that hides what they do to use all. So we spend and spend to get more false news shows that tell us who to hate. Websites set up to offset the "FLOW" begets more off balance reporting to get more money that is laundryed through the networks that motivate the masses to spend more till we now have presidential races that log into the billions and who is getting wealthy? Every time someone gets a foot hold on some progress we are falsely arrested or hamstrung by media. We don't think we react simply because we are all keep off balance by the wealthy who what it that way. Money taken in for military Vets don't get to them, people that are truly use for political pawns don't get help, and we all suffer the structure of our users. I know the moment my website started to get a lot of attention I got falsely arrested and spent 4 months in jail. One month of that in the hospital. That is justice? No it's just the way it is.

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Larry (unregistered) 29.06.2012 16:23

I know HBO's 'Newsroom' will be fun to watch because the NPR propaganda machine is already criticizing the show with 'hit' pieces......NPR's propaganda motto is, "Where news counts" (implying the news doesn't 'count' for anyone else. 

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