Obama hits cable "pundits" who "make their arguments as outrageous and incendiary as possible"

[babylonsister]

http://mediamatters.org/blog/201005010008

Obama hits cable "pundits" who "make their arguments as outrageous and incendiary as possible"

May 01, 2010 3:47 pm ET by Karl Frisch


Today, President Obama took on cable news pundits during a commencement address at University of Michigan in front of an audience estimated at 92,000. Said Obama (emphasis added):

But it was the last question from the last student in the letter that gave me pause. The student asked, "Are people being nice?" Are people being nice?

Well, if you turn on the news today, or yesterday, or a week ago, or a month ago -- particularly one of the cable channels -- you can see why even a kindergartener would ask this question. We've got politicians calling each other all sorts of unflattering names. Pundits and talking heads shout at each other. The media tends to play up every hint of conflict, because it makes for a sexier story -- which means anyone interested in getting coverage feels compelled to make their arguments as outrageous and as incendiary as possible.

<...>

Today's 24/7 echo-chamber amplifies the most inflammatory sound bites louder and faster than ever before. And it's also, however, given us unprecedented choice. Whereas most Americans used to get their news from the same three networks over dinner, or a few influential papers on Sunday morning, we now have the option to get our information from any number of blogs or websites or cable news shows. And this can have both a good and bad development for democracy. For if we choose only to expose ourselves to opinions and viewpoints that are in line with our own, studies suggest that we become more polarized, more set in our ways. That will only reinforce and even deepen the political divides in this country.

<...>

Still, if you’re somebody who only reads the editorial page of The New York Times, try glancing at the page of The Wall Street Journal once in a while. If you’re a fan of Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh, try reading a few columns on the Huffington Post website. It may make your blood boil; your mind may not be changed. But the practice of listening to opposing views is essential for effective citizenship. It is essential for our democracy.

Given how Fox News and right-wing radio hosts have responded to the President's criticism in the past, I'm sure they'll be chomping at the bit to ponder these remarks next week.

Heck, Politico -- a publication obsessed with Obama's relationship with the media -- is already calling him the "media critic-in-chief."

Classy.

[bleever]

1. "Censorship! Fairness Doctrine! Cramming his agenda down our throats!"

Fox, the self-avowed "biggest name in news", will play the victim card with much gnashing of teeth and rending of garments.

[Cha]

2. Good on ya, President Obama..this will

go down in history..documented. President Obama takes a stand against mediawhoredom which imv is the singel most detrimental aspect of this country.

Political doesn't like to be called on their shite..too bad.

[babylonsister]

3. I'm glad to know he's tuned in to what's going on in our world, though

I didn't have any doubt. I do wonder where he finds the time, but these folks are his critics, so he needs to be aware of the 'newz' climate.

I like the lessons he tried to share with the grads.

[boppers]

4. Obama's been reading DU?

:rofl:

[Vattel]

5. You misrepresent what Obama said.

He didn't say that cable pundits "make their arguments as outrageous and incendiary as possible." He said that people who want coverage by the news media do so.

It's sad that the best advice he can give to fans of Glenn Beck or Rush is to read Huffingtonpost once in a while. No one should waste their time listening to Beck or Rush. Effective citizenship requires more than exposing oneself to the other side's stupid arguments so that you hear stupid opinions from both the right and the left. It requires decent sources of news and opinions based on facts and careful analysis. Of course, Obama knows that, but politicians have to pander.

[babylonsister]

7. No, politicians should use common sense. Chances are really

good that if someone is reading/listening to beck/limbaugh/hannity, they're not about to jump in to The Nation, American Prospect, etc., for a different pov. HuffPo is something that is readable to the vast majority should they care to widen their frame of reference.

[Dr Morbius]

9. The President also said we need to separate the news from the commentary. (nt)

[BlooInBloo]

6. ATTACKING THE MEDIA WILL BE OBAMA'S KATRINA!!!!

Gosh, that is actually funner than I thought it would be.

[depakid]

8. America needs a question time where politicians can call each other unflattering names

cutting out the middlemen and women- and the lying propagandists.

Hell, I'd support a constitutional amendment mandating it.

Call it the "from the horse's mouth" amendment.