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Jewish World Review Sept. 4, 2012/ 17 Elul, 5772 Privileges and responsibilities By Cal Thomas
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
My first political convention was in 1964 when Democrats convened in Emotions were still raw from the assassination of President In 1964, the TV networks considered the process of nominating a presidential candidate so important to the country that all three carried the proceedings virtually "gavel to gavel." In 1964, even the platform committee hearings of both parties were covered, sometimes live. I mention all of this to note how little of this year's conventions are being covered by the broadcast networks. Their arguments are familiar: The conventions have become scripted events that serve as infomercials for the two parties and they rarely make news; anyone interested in watching the conventions for longer periods than the one-hour of primetime the broadcast networks give them can watch cable; real political junkies can switch to C-SPAN where they can watch these political telethons until the final gavel falls. Every weekday NewsAndOpinion.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". HUNDREDS of columnists and cartoonists regularly appear. Sign up for the daily update. It's free. Just click here. There is even talk at receptions where media types talk amongst themselves about doing away with these three-day political extravaganzas -- or at least shortening them to a day and a night to attract more viewers. Saving money and time is also a consideration. It's a good idea and the old convention model will almost surely be put to rest after this year. Whether the restructuring happens in 2016, or later, by deciding to broadcast so little of the conventions this year, the networks send the message to the public that the gatherings are unimportant. While Hurricane Isaac diverted much of the coverage from the Few enough people are engaged in the political process. Cynicism deepens when TV networks join the ranks of the cynics and send a message that since so many Americans don't care about politics, the broadcast networks don't either and so let's give the people what they want: more crime and slime. The political ads will play and replay at the commercial breaks, but the ads are fast food compared to live political TV. There have been many suggestions for how to improve the drama and interest of these quadrennial affairs. Since television and the political process are joined at the hip, broadcasters, especially, have a responsibility to help make them more compelling. If Broadcasters use public airwaves and make a lot of money from them. Because of that and because networks are run by Americans, they have a duty to perform in the public interest. Carrying just one hour of each convention is a dereliction of that duty.
JWR contributor Cal Thomas is co-author with Bob Beckel, a liberal Democratic Party strategist, of "Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War That is Destroying America". Comment by clicking here.
© 2011, Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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