Senate Intelligence Committee
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/26/senators-nsa-media_n_3998229.html?utm_hp_ref=media
In the Huffington Post article "Senators
Lash Out At The Media Over Public's NSA Opposition", (Link Provided Above)
the writer addresses the Senate Intelligence Committee's accusations about the
media and Snowden creating "public skepticism and distrust" about
domestic surveillance programs.
While exploring the theme of the fickle and sometimes
turbulent relationship between mass media and politics I came across this post.
Since the time that the public found out about Snowden, senators believe that
the information provided by the media did more harm than just merely inform.
Since I created this blog to make sure that I look at every
side before making an assumption of whose argument is unwarranted, I started of
by simply reading through and ignoring the comments so that they don’t impact
how I view the article. After reading, and forming my own opinion on the story
I began to read the comments and realized that there was a common theme. From a
viewer’s point of view, the senators have no room to complain when it comes to
this story! The issue of NSA programs and tactics is not something that is
publicized or convenient for people outside the political realm to know about. This
is the type of story that I will commend the media for providing to viewers!
The senators cannot place blame on the media for information
that the government could have made easily accessible. It’s not transparent
enough for the public to know anything about; this is an example of the media
working the way that it’s meant to! From the article, I see that senator Ron
Wyden seems to be the only sensible one.
“Wyden: Joint testimony
blames media and others but this could have been avoided if Intel leadership
could have been straight w/Am people.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/26/senators-nsa-media_n_3998229.html
I agree with your point of view regarding the role the media played in the Snowden situation. I, too, commend the media and Snowden for providing the American people with this information regarding the NSA and the things they were trying to hide. I am glad to know that there are people like Snowden who are fine with being called a whistleblower just so that the government can't keep getting away with these secrets. There are certain things that the government should not release to the public, but spying on phone calls and keeping tabs on phone records is not one of those things that should be kept public. We live in an era where the littlest thing can be misconstrued and can get someone into trouble. I like how you ended this post with that quote, and I agree that this could have been avoided if the NSA was honest with the American people to begin with.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to have a ray of sunshine in all the gloom and doom. As discussed in class, one of the primary functions of the media is to call attention to stories that otherwise would fall by the wayside, stories that affect citizens of our country. This was originally termed muckraking, and at first it was used as a negative term. Over time, the word was modified into more of an endearing term by the journalists themselves, a sort of badge of honor so to speak. Of course, as is evident by this article, what one side considers to be a bane on the government is viewed by the other side as a patriotic act. I cannot comment on the actual legitimacy of Snowden's actions as I am not on the Senate Intelligence Committee nor a part of the NSA, but I can say that no matter the issue there will always be some in favor and others opposed. The media's role in (most cases) the ordeal should be to place the information in front of the public and let them decide. Of course there are matters of national security, but if the media cannot at least bring things to light (perhaps without discussing details) as part of their watchdog function, then our democratic system will suffer.
ReplyDelete