Michael Moore is a controversial person with a public stage. He often presents radical viewpoints. He recently was blasted for this viewpoint America, You Must Not Look Away (How to Finish Off the NRA)
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mike-friends-blog/america-you-must-not-look-away-how-finish-nra
It is a troubling premise, but I wonder how many people read past the headline to his main point. "Because the real truth is this: We do not want to be confronted with what the actual results of a violent society looks like. Of what a society that starts illegal wars, that executes criminals (or supposed criminals), that strikes or beats one of its women every 15 seconds, and shoots 30 of its own citizens every single day looks like. Oh, no, please – DO NOT MAKE US LOOK AT THAT!"
It's human nature to avoid the unpleasant. But sometimes it takes a startling image of real life to make people pay attention.
As a journalist you will be confronted with decisions on whether to publish or not on many occasions. It is important to think about these issues when you are not on deadline. The rush of a breaking news situation is not the time to figure out where you stand.
It is our job to report around our bias. No matter your views on guns, Michael Moore, politicians or other controversial viewpoints you must ask yourself, "what does the public need to know?"
Two of the mothers referred to in this essay chose to use their tragedy to try to make people pay attention and change. That was their decision.
As a journalist, what would be yours?
I think a lot pf people don't like Michael Moore because he's known for exactly that, for showing people what they do not want to see. He's become a symbol for bad news, a Debbie Downer, a sort of extremist. Over time, people dismiss him or turn him into a caricature. When you deal in the reality of terrible things, it's easy to become numb. When you're reporting it's easy to loose your sense of tragedy. Michael Moore isn't just upset or jaded, he's still angry. It's a little admirable to be confronted with these issues day after day and still keep that passion.
ReplyDeleteI think as a journalist we have to draw the line between sensationalism and relevant truth. We have to keep that passion in order to change people's lives without becoming a joke.