Where is the blazered crusader to push the limits of the 1st amendment today? (crickets chirping)
American news media has a void that nobody seems able or willing to fill.
If you're like me, you're mad as hell and you're not going to take it anymore. At least that's what legendary (and fictional) Howard Beale ranted in the movie Network - where a nightly news anchor reaches his breaking point reporting on what society has become.
Today it is more important than ever to have journalists Americans can trust. Pundits on both sides of the isle have attempted to imitate Beale; among them are toilet-bowl blue Keith Olberman & flaming red Glenn Beck - but all who have tried have failed & fallen into news oblivion.
Americans don't want an actor, they want a contender. Americans want a news person that represents their interests - one that seeks to inform the public pure and simple - away from the entertainment and fanfare.
The old way of news reporting is dying if it's not dead already. Old timers like Bob Schiefer, Tom Brokaw, Ted Koppel & Dan Rather are terrific true-and-tried reporters, but they don't have a grasp on 21st century media - how could they? They're dinosaurs.
Hear, I'll examine the leading men in the news today & find out if they have what it takes to fill the shoes of news icons like Edward Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Mike Wallace or the late great Tim Russert.
In order of News Manliness:
1. Brian Williams - probably first in line for News Man but maybe too much of an entertainer? Williams is the last of a dying breed of haughty NBC nightly news anchors.
2. Fareed Zakaria - although not technically an American, Zakaria has what it takes to become the next News Man. He's a respected, a tough interviewer, reliable and objective.
3. George Stephanopolous - a fixture in Washington, Stephanopolous has access to all the big wigs. He's an honest reporter, however with a clear connection to Democrats.
4. Chris Wallace - a shoe-in for News Man (b/c of his daddy) but his name won't rid the stench of Fox's brand of Fair & Balanced. Wallace can be a great hard-hitting interviewer, but a five year old could spot his conservative bias.
5. Chuck Todd - up-and-comer, goatee sporting Todd's passion for politics is unmatched by any on this list. A true nerd, Todd hit the big leagues with a morning cable news show the Rundown after polishing his reporting chops in the White House press corps.
6. John King - is kind of an odd choice for this post but I'll leave him on anyways. King could be a News Man nominee if he weren't so forgettable. Honest but mundane.
7. Matt Lauer - a solid choice for News Man if it weren't for the years of teeny-bopper news the Today Show has become reliant on. However, Lauer is a terrific interviewer.
Are any of these newsmen up to the task to become the most loved reporter in America? Me thinks not. Perhaps Luke Russert (Tim's son) will fill his dad's place, but that will take time.
There are great reporters in America today (Amy Goodman, Jeremy Scahill), but none that could take on the title of News Man - where a blazered crusader will need access to big wigs and the masses. Most people probably don't know who these aforementioned reporters even are.
The X Generation's young batch of news people are soon going to emerge and take the news farther into the 21st century digital age than we can even imagine.
Where are you News Man?
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