The Lang Report Editorial

Do you wonder that what you read and see produced in the is the truth, that is, a fair and accurate representation of the actual events? I do….all the time!

All I have to do is earnestly and honestly search myself to discover my own prejudices and temptation to publish in The Lang Report (TLR) that which I favor and wish to promote. And the fact is that TLR does not gain or benefit in any way what slant it might take on a particular subject; but still the temptation is there.

Imagine if all I have to contend with is my own demons that inhabit my conscience, how difficult it must be for those tempted when money, power and prestige is on the table and at stake? When you read the daily newspaper or view then evening news, think about those writers, editors and program managers that are pulled and pushed into every direction except the TRUTH.

Those are incidences when the truth is consciously compromised because of the above mentioned money, power and prestige and then there are the more insidious departures from the truth motivated by our own fears, biases and desire for recognition.

And then there is another thing that seems to affect the reporting of the truth and that is the inherent nature of all human beings witnessing and describing an event after the fact. We’ve all heard of the most common example of this, you know the one about 2 or more people witnessing the same traffic accident and then asked to describe it with each witness telling a different story.

So, how can the truth be told on a regular and consistent basis with all of these forces working against it?  You have the external forces of money, power and prestige, etc. along with our own inner demons coupled with an inherent, mostly subliminal inability to depict specific realities as they actually are. WOW,….it’s a wonder that the truth is ever told!

READ ON FOR A POSSIBLE SOLUTION….

The primary purpose of this editorial is not to itemize or dissect why we cannot rely on the media for reporting the truth for reasons that we have little control over. That which gives me cause for greatest concern is the furthering of personal or corporate agendas if a story be told with a specific slant.

It is a sad commentary on the news media when things such as “journalistic integrity” and “canons of professional ethics” mean little to those that report the world beyond our front door. Now journalism is not alone in succumbing to common greed, avarice or self interest. However it is one of those professions that can have a great impact on the world’s decisions and the world as we see it.

WHAT IF? …… what if “fact checking” was used in the professional news media business just as it is commonly used in magazine publishing. A fact checker is the person who checks factual assertions in news copy to determine their veracity and correctness. The job requires general knowledge, but more important it requires the ability to conduct quick and proper research.

Now I do realize that fact checking would not be conducive to copy needing to be filed daily as the resources and time needed are many and much. For this reason, fact-checking is not done at most newspapers. What a shame as it would eliminate most of the lies, half-truths and inconsistencies we are bombarded with daily.

So if traditional fact checking is not a solution, what can we do to better that accuracy of the news? First of all you have to “give a shit” because if you don’t care then any methods used would be half-heartedly implemented. But putting aside apathy, what system could be use to increase the accuracy in print and electronic media?

Well, what if Journalism’s Canons of Professional Ethics included a system whereby everybody kept an eye on everybody else and reported any discrepancies so that “checks & balances” are not only accepted but is applauded as well. Could it work….would it work? I am not sure but I do know that something has to change.

The public has gotten so insouciant that they take everything they read, see and hear as an opinion, hence they have little reason to heed its message. I mean if Dan Rather reported that “the sky was falling” nobody would even bother to look up! 

So what’s the answer? The immediate answer is that we need to universally admit that there is a problem and that the problem is a lot more serious than just telling a “fib” or “white lie” that’s not going to hurt anyone. Then we need to make it a serious offense to bastardize the truth. I’m not talking about jail time but am talking about societal shame so that offenders would be made public and held up for scorn and ridicule.

                                                               It’s worth a try as there has got to be a better way!