Alister Cook’s ‘Message from America,’ was a favourite of ours driving somewhere - I can't recall where or when now. They say that 900 odd of his stories are available to listen to online - the way back machine. Not working easily... Page not archived - pity.
As to current media at least in the USA but also, I fear here in Australia we are lost on a sea of stuff with a machine designed to feed what you want to hear. Go down the progressive track and that is all the political stuff I see. I scrupulously avoid clicking on e.g. Fox for fear that I will be sent down that line. Also, I don't like to think that my clicks are "supporting" them.
the problem is avoiding opinions becoming facts. I quite like the Verity approach - provide the "facts" and then present opposing views. Surely as reasonably educated adults we should be able to form an opinion of our own?
I too am of an age when listening to Alistair Cooke was Sunday evening listening (BFBS radio) - if you want to listen to a 21st Century version, try Robert L Arnold, on Substack.
I found myself in a similar state after reading 'Strangeland' last year in which he alluded/teased his opinions on how Israeli interests have throttled news within the BBC. He, like the Ballon PJI, took you to the edge and then stepped back while you threw your 'hands across the reserve' and stepped forward. My take on how he concluded this book, is that he 'adopted the dreaded real politik approach' and that he stayed at the edge of what would allow him to keep working/writing rather than step out into void and go for it.
i disagree. If journalism is to be credible, it cannot be partisan. I understand that is not the way it often works, and that is precisely why we have a crisis of credibility and media driven tribalism. I understand you write to fight, but that is precisely why you will not be credible to people in thrall to MAGA, for instance. That's some 47% of US voters. You also won't be credible to a fair proportion of UK voters, or EU ones. Pretty much anyone supporting the russian cause. for instance. You cannot expect them to even entertain your perspective.
I will never be credible to MAGA Jerzy. I think 47% is questionable but your point is well made. My credibility to others is a matter for them alone. I don't expect anything from my readers. My expectations begin and end with myself. I expect to maintain my integrity to ensure I never become one of those whose wisdom comes from silence and expediency, after the fact.
Robin and I are almost exactly the same age, we have lived our lives in very different spheres, but I love the parallels. I really don’t think much of the BBC it is a month since my last and unanswered complaint was levied.
The sycophantic journalists and GOP politicians should pay a heavy price when Trump is gone and hopefully some kind of normality returns.
When some people pass, the world is never quite the same again. Alistair Cooke was one of them, as from a different sphere was Brian Johnston without whom summers will never be the same.
Alister Cook’s ‘Message from America,’ was a favourite of ours driving somewhere - I can't recall where or when now. They say that 900 odd of his stories are available to listen to online - the way back machine. Not working easily... Page not archived - pity.
As to current media at least in the USA but also, I fear here in Australia we are lost on a sea of stuff with a machine designed to feed what you want to hear. Go down the progressive track and that is all the political stuff I see. I scrupulously avoid clicking on e.g. Fox for fear that I will be sent down that line. Also, I don't like to think that my clicks are "supporting" them.
I agree up to a point, but as I remember it, the programme was called Letter from America. Sopel is no Alister Cook.
Well remembered!
the problem is avoiding opinions becoming facts. I quite like the Verity approach - provide the "facts" and then present opposing views. Surely as reasonably educated adults we should be able to form an opinion of our own?
Voters in democracy are not all reasonably educated adults. Many 'educated' adults can also be very unreasonable.
Robin,
I too am of an age when listening to Alistair Cooke was Sunday evening listening (BFBS radio) - if you want to listen to a 21st Century version, try Robert L Arnold, on Substack.
I found myself in a similar state after reading 'Strangeland' last year in which he alluded/teased his opinions on how Israeli interests have throttled news within the BBC. He, like the Ballon PJI, took you to the edge and then stepped back while you threw your 'hands across the reserve' and stepped forward. My take on how he concluded this book, is that he 'adopted the dreaded real politik approach' and that he stayed at the edge of what would allow him to keep working/writing rather than step out into void and go for it.
We are in a sad place.
i disagree. If journalism is to be credible, it cannot be partisan. I understand that is not the way it often works, and that is precisely why we have a crisis of credibility and media driven tribalism. I understand you write to fight, but that is precisely why you will not be credible to people in thrall to MAGA, for instance. That's some 47% of US voters. You also won't be credible to a fair proportion of UK voters, or EU ones. Pretty much anyone supporting the russian cause. for instance. You cannot expect them to even entertain your perspective.
I will never be credible to MAGA Jerzy. I think 47% is questionable but your point is well made. My credibility to others is a matter for them alone. I don't expect anything from my readers. My expectations begin and end with myself. I expect to maintain my integrity to ensure I never become one of those whose wisdom comes from silence and expediency, after the fact.
Exactly. We need journalists to challenge and interrogate and get to the truth, not just recycle.
Not enough original journalism these days, far too much churnalism.
Robin and I are almost exactly the same age, we have lived our lives in very different spheres, but I love the parallels. I really don’t think much of the BBC it is a month since my last and unanswered complaint was levied.
The sycophantic journalists and GOP politicians should pay a heavy price when Trump is gone and hopefully some kind of normality returns.
When some people pass, the world is never quite the same again. Alistair Cooke was one of them, as from a different sphere was Brian Johnston without whom summers will never be the same.