VP Debate, Voters' Minds and Shanah Tovah!
The media must decide between spectacles and truth.
Just as the latest episode of They Stand Corrected was coming out, our political scene provided another example of the central point. News agencies must make a choice in what they stand for: stunts or the truth.
The VP debate is case in point. J.D. Vance said it straight up: “The rules were that you guys weren’t going to fact check.” Yup. “News” networks agree to rules in which they are not allowed to ensure that the audience gets the truth, always. This is the exact opposite of journalism. (Here’s my op-ed about that for the biggest paper in a crucial swing state.)
Throughout the spectacle, Vance lied about crucial, basic issues like immigration, the economy, and his support for a national abortion ban. He wouldn’t even acknowledge that Trump lost the 2020 election. This event had nothing to do with “news.” It was yet another performance.
Will news agencies spend today and the coming days pointing out Vance’s endless stream of lies? Or will they obsess over “horse race” coverage? As a Yale-trained lawyer, Vance of course knows how to sell snake oil. How does that help anyone?
In this week’s episode, I explain that this same false thinking leads news agencies to send reporters out into dangerous conditions like Hurricane Helene.
To all those suffering in Helene’s wake, thoughts with you. Your stories should be told with depth, concern, and accuracy for months to come.
I’ll share some video clips in the coming days.
Also in Episode 26, I bring you Vaughan Emsley, a top global expert on the psychology of marketing. He says the media is missing the biggest story of this election: the hierarchies of power that many Republicans believe in. More to come on that.
In the meantime, news agencies are of course still failing to get you the truth about Iran and its proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah, even as Iran has launched a massive direct attack against Israel. CNN is among the many major news outlets that continue to blow it, warping the story. I have discussed this in previous episodes and newsletters (e.g. Debra Messing is Right: It's 'Unconscionable').
And now, my open letter to the media about all this is up. Please share it widely:
On a happier note, to all good people who celebrate Rosh Hashanah, wishing you a sweet, happy, and healthy new year. Our tiny peoplehood (the Israelites, Hebrews, People of Judea or Zion, etc.) survive, showing the world that a group does not have to push/force anyone to be like them in order to keep existing! ✡️🕍🍎🍯❤
Big love,
JL
P.S. Columbia, South Carolina: I’ll see you Monday.
