Cable news pundits run wild
Aren Dow
Issue date: 9/1/09 Section: Opinion
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Pundits such as Sean Hannity and Keith Olbermann have such a strong one-sided message that it polarizes the viewers watching. In a country where most people fall into the middle of the spectrum, cable news networks have tried to define their niche. It in turn caters to those who stand on one side, and offers itself as a medium that reinforces their ideals or beliefs. Rarely do these news networks deviate from the message.
It seems like they are not even trying anymore. Late last year, Alan Colmes left "Hannity and Colmes," which left Hannity with his own show. Whether or not Colmes had any power or sway over viewers, it at least gave the presentation of an opinion from the other side of the aisle. Now, the show has a sole conservative viewpoint.
These programs are almost as influential as the nightly news programs themselves. CBS averages around five and a half million viewers; Bill O'Reilly can achieve almost three million on any given night.
The only person who has taken to policing the idiocy on Fox News, MSNBC or CNN seems to be comedian Jon Stewart.
Jon Stewart has recently taken "The Daily Show" from a comedy outlet for politics to almost a level of importance. He has personally taken on the media giants, where only bloggers and conspiracy theorists have gone before.
Most notably was the Jim Cramer evisceration, where Stewart reprimanded Cramer for his harmful methods of encouraging viewers to buy and sell stocks quickly. When Stewart called Cramer out for it, Cramer then acknowledged his shortcomings of how he advised people on his show.
Stewart's "policing" of the industry is just a small step toward correcting the industry as a whole. Far too often, objective analysis takes a back seat to biased opinions and slanted views.
Too many Americans have steeped themselves into one ideal, and now cable news networks have given them a way to never leave it.
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