The citizen’s job? Shut up and watch…
What is the job of a political reporter? For the obvious answer, read today’s campaign analysis by Dan Balz.
I cannot find a single sentence in this long article that is politically useful for voters, i.e. any statement that helps voters make a political choice based on civic concerns. This article represents what political coverage has become: entertainment. The job, then, of a political reporter is to chronicle the inside action of a campaign for the entertainment of readers who watch politics as a sport.
For example, Balz writes:
The questions surrounding Dean’s candidacy include his experience and temperament, whether he has political appeal beyond the core of party activists, whether he can win votes in the South, his ability to handle tough scrutiny and whether he can bring together Democrats after what is turning into a tough battle with his rivals.
If we’re talking political coverage as entertainment, this outlines the central narrative of the Dean campaign as political insiders see it, or as political insiders want the public to see it. But notice that with the exception of questions about Dean’s experience, none of these insider questions are politically useful. What does Dean’s ability to win votes in the South have to do with the cost of health care, problems in education, security at home and abroad, or the environment?
Exactly what information are voters using to make up their minds?
Lester: Well, Edna, who ya gonna vote fer in the primary?
Edna: Well, I ‘spect I’ll be votin’ fer Howard Dean.
Lester: How come?
Edna: ‘Cuz the newspaper sez he appeals to core party activists.
Lester: Uh-huh.
I’m sure Lester and Edna find it difficult to participate in politics when it is portrayed as so far removed from their lives. The rhetoric of political journalism tells them that their role is spectator, not participant.
What if it were the job of a reporter to report on political experience, past performance (i.e. governance), issues of character, and (especially!) specifics of proposed policies? What if it were the job of a political reporter to be aware of voters’ concerns and put such questions to candidates so that these concerns are addressed? (via Political Wire)
“What if it were the job of a reporter to report on political experience, past performance (i.e. governance), issues of character, and (especially!) specifics of proposed policies? What if it were the job of a political reporter to be aware of voters’ concerns and put such questions to candidates so that these concerns are addressed?”
Why ISN’T it their job. How can we consider ourselves a democracy if people don’t vote on the ISSUES, if campaigns are nothing more than “reality” shows, or horse races?
Yes…I wonder about this every day.
Good post, Doc—but about Edna and Lester—-I think you may have lived in Missouri too long!
It seems to me that too many members of the big-time media think of the public as Ednas and Lesters.
I hope you understand that I was only joking about Edna and Lester’s “accent”—-you made your point perfectly. I certainly don’t disagree with you about big media’s disdain for us.
I gotcha, Rebecca
Politically Useful Reporting
Rhetorica: Press-Politics Journal: The citizen’s job? Shut up and watch… Dr. Cline at the very excellent rhetorica makes a point…
I agreed with this entry at first but then after thinking about it I strongly disagreed. Here’s why.
(I tried to send a trackback but it didn’t seem to work.)
Curt