More Truth in Teacher-Written Education Blogs Than Corporate Media

[raccoon]

Published on
Sunday, July 09, 2017

More Truth in Teacher-Written Education Blogs Than Corporate Media

By Steven Singer

...when you read an article in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times or Pittsburgh Tribune Review, there is a presumption of detachment and neutrality. But it’s bogus....

Journalism is a business. Perhaps it should be a public good. We used to look at it that way. We used to try to keep it separate from advertising. It didn’t have to make a profit. But that’s all changed. Now it’s expected to bring in money. It’s expected to generate “value” for the corporation that owns it. However, we rarely stop to think how corrupting an influence that is...

We need to be aware that corporate media is often going to take the side of big corporations. They’re going to be in favor of standardized testing, Common Core, charter and voucher schools. They’re going to talk up computer-based depersonalized learning. They’re going to uncritically criticize those standing in the way of corporate profits—i.e. teachers...

These are the reasons why teacher-written education blogs are superior to the competition. They aren’t beholden to corporate money or influence. They have first-hand experience of the subject...

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/09/more-truth-teacher-written-education-blogs-corporate-media


It was hard to trim this one down, but it's worth the read. And of course, what the author is saying applies to much more than public education.

[Igel]

1. That room is awfully crowded.

Sadly, it's populated by a teacher, a corporate blogger, and the Elephant-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Unfortunately, that Elephant of Grandeur and Repute has elected to bring its Signifant Other of the same species.

Did I mention that the room in question is the grand ballroom often used for presidential inaugurations?

Since the anonymous pachyderm must remain anonymous, I'll finish my dinner and find another beverage.

[eppur_se_muova]

2. WSJ, Pgh Tribune detached & neutral ?? SRSLY ??

WSJ is Murdoch's rag now. And while Scaife is dead, the Trib is still as detached and neutral as Rush Limbaugh, The Print Edition.

[BigmanPigman]

3. I was a teacher for 15+ years and sadly learned that schools are a business now too.

The school board made decisions based on money while they destroyed the district and it has never recovered. This was on every level when Alan Bersin was hired as Superintendant. He had no experience in education. He ruled by fear and 30% of the experienced teachers retired early within 5 years. The union was destroyed. an additional 30% of staff was fired and no pay raises or COLA for over 5 years.

They always said their decisions were made "based on what's best for the children". BS!