P.T. Barnum and Jesse Helms have one thing in common. Both accept Phineas T.’s dictum, “There’s one (a sucker) born every minute.” Barnum’s heirs, following the maxim, offer a surgically altered goat as a legendary unicorn. Jesse tries to sell the illusion that his personal prejudices are acceptable standards for “Fairness in Media”. Both deals are flim-flam operations.
One difference between the two con men appears. Phineas T. understood what he was doing and found a bit of humor in outwitting his patrons. Jesse is entirely serious in his efforts to hoodwink his victims. He wants to silence the publication of any unfavorable information, true or not, which might affect his political future or his friends’ accumulation of wealth. He wants to buy Columbia Broadcasting System, and fire its news broadcaster, Dan Rather. He asks his public to buy CBS stock, and vote it according to his dictates in order to accomplish his goal.
There is plenty of evidence that CBS newscasts are fair, so far as any news broadcast can be 100% objective and fair. Academic studies of news broadcasts place CBS in the center between liberal and conservatives. It attracts listeners, in competition with other broadcasts. If people perceived it to be unfair, they would turn it off. In the market place of cash values CBS news, under Dan Rather, measures up as a good bargain for advertisers. What it would be, if Jesse adulterated its output through censorship, is open to question. If Jesse’s investors follow his advice they may find they have out their money in a sinking ship. Profits, not political prejudices, govern the broadcast business. CBS news makes profits.
If the Senator wants a different news broadcast he can start a TV station and see if his newscast can compete with the newscasts he wants to destroy. Or he might try to persuade his cohorts not to listen to CBS. In the light of the Senator’s past record of bias, his protestations remind one of Matthew’s gospel (7:3-5). “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? – First, take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
One fact must be faced: no person who tries to inform or influence another person is unbiased. Each of us has a mind-set, slanted and bent by the pressures if our past experiences. A scientist sees the universe as a mathematical formula. An artist sees it as a beautiful harmony of shape and color. Lovers see in each other beauty and charm. To outsiders they appear plain and ordinary. Lovers will never suffer much disillusionment, but the rest of us need to be aware of our prejudices. I have a bias in favor of Jesus of Nazareth, His teachings and His way of life. I interpret events and experiences in accordance with my understanding of Him. But I never try to gag those who disagree with me.
The motto of the ancient Greek Sophists, “Know Thyself”, is pertinent. When you are aware of your own bias and prejudices you become more tolerant of those with different attitudes. You contest the validity of their ideas; you do not demand that they be silenced, nor deprived of their livelihood.
Like Senator Helms, we want “Fairness in Media”. We have no reason to believe we can get it from him.
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