Michael Yaki
The Media Needs to Fess Up to Its Mess and Its Responsibility: Time for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to Take a Look
Posted March 19, 2008 | 02:13 PM (EST)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-yaki/the-media-needs-to-fess-u_b_92376.html<snip>
Yesterday's speech by Barack Obama was extraordinary. Yet there are those who believe it will cost Obama the presidency, if not the nomination. And if the media continues to have its way, I fear it will.
In my 20 years in political life I have never quite seen, much less read, a speech by a political figure less calculated to please or pander. It was a tour de force in passion, but passion from within not designed to evoke passion from without. It was somber, uplifting, scolding, challenging, and defiant, all at the same time.
As a member of the United States Commission on Civil Rights, a federal agency whose mission in recent years has been largely forgotten (if news coverage of these issues is any measure), it was an eye-opening moment not only about the future of our politics, but about the need to sternly examine the role of the 4th estate in helping achieve "a more perfect union."
In its 50 year history the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has never questioned the role of the news media on the journalistic equivalent of the who, what, where, why, when, and how in terms of choosing to report on race. We have questioned, sometimes under subpoena, officials partaking in corrupt voter schemes; officials out of compliance with the mandates of Brown and federal civil rights laws. But never, in our 50 years, have we asked the media what they believe their role has been and continues to be in shaping the entire question of race in this country for their audience, the American people.
Make no mistake; race was always the elephant in the room in American politics. And in this election, it is a mega-elephant. Until Obama's candidacy became viable, it was easy to ignore, pretend that it wasn't there, a non-factor until he became a factor. Then slowly, inexorably, perhaps even spurred on by parodies on "SNL", the media began to rise up and chip away at him on issues or race. News media began worrying about the "racial divide," exit polls tracked black-brown-white voting patterns, and experts were brought in to analyze what it all meant.
snip//
Perhaps the news media can realize that the quality of the candidate should be judged by his words, and his positions. Perhaps the news media can also say that on the issue of covering this Presidential election with a race angle - "not this time." Ultimately, the hearts of individual Americans will decide that issue. Does the media need to fan the flames with endless talking heads and extremists on all sides who don't represent the average American?
Dare I believe in the audacity of hope on this topic?
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