Below is the revised Voting Alert Beacons page for Media Responsibilities. I've added a section for Social Media that comments on the tremendous power it has to bring humankind together like has never been possible before. However, it can also divide us to the point where we don't recognized each other. I hope you will note my revisions and follow them to a positive destination. Thank you!
MEDIA RESPONSIBILITIES
The Media has often been called the "Fourth Branch of Government." When the other three branches of government can't or won't come forward with the truth, the Media often has. This “honesty” mechanism was designed into the US Constitution by the writers.
James Madison said, “A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both.” If George Washington is considered father of our nation, then James Madison is regarded as father of the constitution, and he was the First Amendment author.
The media is critical to keeping our government honest, and in helping us elect and refresh government through our right to vote. In the exercise of their personal First Amendment rights, when journalists and commentators are expressing an opinion, they should clearly declare their bias. Otherwise, they, or media outlets and sources, should remain unbiased and dedicated to fulfilling their important role in our democracy.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS WONDERFUL, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE TOXIC!
While social media is a wonderful development reflective of the advance of humankind, and a force that brings us closer together over miles and time, it can also drive us apart to the point that we know longer recognize each other.
DO have positive discussions with your friends and neighbors using private messaging.
DO use the ability to create groups and forums to focus on national and local challenges to find positive solutions.
DO create your own posts, or share posts from others, that focus on positive remedies and fulfilling our responsibilities. Our rights will follow, and be preserved, as a natural result. Leading with "our rights or my rights" is selfish and counterproductive. Our rights were guaranteed a long time ago in our countries founding documents.
WHAT THE MEDIA SHOULD DO TO FULFILL THEIR ROLE?
- Publish only what candidates say about THEMSELVES. See Voting Alert Beacon #3.
- Don't publish what they say about OTHERS. See Voting Alert Beacon #3.
- Publish regular reports of candidate campaign contributions, and positively highlight the small contributions while negatively highlighting large contributions. Especially, shine a negative highlight on pacts, special interests, and other "non-human" contributions. See Voting Alert Beacon #5.
- On interview programs, invite only regular citizens for comment, not political pundits or commentators.
- Stop taking and publishing polls. See Voting Alert Beacon #4.
SHOULD NOT DO
Media SHOULD NOT endorse candidates or take positions on the issues. If and when they do, they change from fulfilling their special role and responsibility as the “Fourth Branch of Government” to becoming JUST ANOTHER SPECIAL INTEREST.
Let us always remember that honesty and public service are the gears that drive our democracy, and we turn those gears with our RIGHT TO VOTE. LET’S ALL VOTE!
. . . remember that America’s best days aren’t behind her. America’s best days are ahead of her. They always have been and always will be.
Dave
Copyright © 2016 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.