You know, sometimes when I watch the news, it feels like they’re not really asking the questions we want answers to. Maybe journalism schools have changed? Maybe deadlines are tighter than ever? Who knows. But what I do know is that good journalism is about more than just reporting.

It’s about asking the questions that make us think critically, and that give us a well-rounded picture of what’s going on. It’s about holding those in power accountable. This is what we were taught in school, remember?

I had a chat with my uncle, who’s been a journalist for over 20 years (he’s retired now), and he shared some insights that got me thinking.

He said, “Back in my day, we told the whole story – who, what, why, when, where, and how! These days, I don’t even know if they’re asking questions anymore! It’s like they’re missing the point of their job.”

My uncle has a point. Sometimes, it feels like news stories are press releases all dressed up. We get the basic facts, but there’s no follow-up, no challenging perspectives. It’s like watching a tennis match where one player just lobs the ball over the net, and the other lets it plop without a fight.

In countries like India and the USA, where big elections can change everything, the news plays a huge role. But lately, it feels like the media cares more about getting high ratings and making money than telling us what’s really going on. And I don’t think I’m the only one noticing this, you must’ve too.

I’ve noticed this trend for a while now, and it’s made me lose trust in a lot of news channels. I’ve even stopped tuning in to news channels for about three years now. I just don’t feel like I can trust them anymore, especially with all the political drama going on. Instead of just taking their word for it, I find myself checking multiple sources to make sure I’m getting the full picture.

I know not all of them are like that, some are genuine too. It’s just they’re losing the trust they had once.

But the question is –

Why’s all this happening?

Well, one reason could be that big companies own most of the media outlets these days. They care more about profits than real journalism, so they might avoid talking about controversial stuff or only show one side of the story. As a result, there’s pressure to prioritize stories that attract viewership or readership, often at the expense of substantive journalism.

And then there’s social media, which has made everything even more confusing. Fake news spreads like wildfire online, making it hard to know who or what to believe. Social media algorithms prioritize engagement over accuracy. In such an environment, distinguishing fact from fiction becomes increasingly challenging.

There might also be cultural shifts and changing patterns of news consumption, particularly among younger generations. They’re more interested towards senseless, more visual and entertainment-oriented formats.

News is constantly evolving, and there’s a demand for instantaneous updates. This pressure to churn out content quickly can lead to superficial reporting and a focus on sensationalism rather than depth and analysis. Clickbait headlines and provocative soundbites are favored over nuanced exploration of complex issues.

The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black

Is There a Political Influence on Mainstream Media?

And let’s not forget the dangers of political influence on mainstream media. As the world becomes more polarized, media outlets might also be increasingly aligning themselves with either left or right-wing ideologies.

In some cases, media organizations may be directly owned or controlled by political figures or corporations with vested interests.

But perhaps the most alarming consequence of media manipulation is the threat to democracy itself. History is filled with examples of nations descending into dictatorship when the media fails to serve as a check on government power.

However, we all must agree that there are still plenty of journalists out there who are holding powerful people accountable. We can also be more critical viewers. If an interview feels soft, we can always do our own research to get a more complete picture.

So, here’s to the journalists out there who are still out there asking the tough ones! And to the rest, let’s remember the golden rule of a good story: who, what, why, when, where, and HOW? Because honestly, how can we expect to understand the world around us if we don’t get the whole story?

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But what good did all those wars accomplish? Well, of course in our first war, we won our independence from The King’s rule, our freedom, and the right to govern ourselves. Other wars were fought to keep our freedom from those who wanted to take it away.

We fought for and with our allies when they were threatened and when we were needed. We fought for a variety of reasons in other wars, some good reasons, some bad reasons. Wars are ongoing today as we continue to add to the stats.

What has happened to America along the way? In my opinion, America has hardened its heart, and therefore become severely divided. We have drawn lines in the sand, divided into factions and we all scream out, “nobody, but nobody is right, and everyone is wrong until they agree with me and my faction.”

It is Just Politics as Usual

Some say it is just politics and it has always been this way. In case you do not know, in American government we have the left and the right, Democrats and Republicans. They have always argued, never agree, and never will. Many say this is the problem.

No, that is not the problem at all! America used to be united, despite our differences. Although we fought a 4-year civil war, afterwards we re-united. We were again “The United States.” We might have still disagreed on how to solve a problem but we “united” to resolve it.

If you have been paying any attention to our country lately, you know we are anything but a “United States.” There are so many issues dividing us, it seems hopeless that we could ever unite again. Our enemies need not wage war against us, threaten us, kill us, or destroy our independence and freedom. Hell, we are killing each other and destroying America and freedom by ourselves! (Please excuse my French).

There was a song in the 60’s that foretold a bit of what has been occurring in America called “For What it’s Worth?” By: Buffalo Springfield.

Here is one line from that song: “There’s battle lines being drawn. Nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong.” (You can hear the song here) Youtube Video.

You Might Ask, What’s The Answer Smarty Pants?

Well, the answer is not religion. I am a Christian so it’s extremely hard for me to say that. But for the sake of this article let us try a different approach, an approach that would actually work for everyone. It is worth a try.

If I were to say, the answer IS religion, the immediate response would be, which religion? Or, I do not believe in religion, or a multitude of negative responses. So, you can see the discussion very quickly divides us. More wars have been fought in the name of religion than anything else. We have probably won few of those wars and if we did, it did not seem to help based on where we are today.

Again, Mr. “Know it All” What’s The Answer?

I have an answer, I am going to give you my answer, but you will not like the answer. The answer to all America’s problems is simply one word, “discipline.”

It is discipline that determines everything in my life, your life, and the lives of people all over the world. I must believe that unless there is a medical or mental problem involved, that everyone really knows right from wrong. But we become one-sided or even radical when we have no “discipline.” Without discipline we lose our common sense.

We all know the basic, common, humanitarian tenets that, if followed would unite America again. But although most Americans know how they “should act” and what they “should do.” The problem is that we do not have the discipline to do them.

The reason Religion is not the answer to America’s division, hatred, and constant warring is we have allowed different Religions and our many differences to divide us. We are stubborn and hardheaded, we accept no belief system but our own. We would not be caught dead reading about another person’s beliefs if they did not match ours.

Understanding and being tolerant of other ways does not mean I have to sacrifice my own beliefs.

We All Want the Same Thing

All peoples around the world do share common beliefs about truths, rules, commandments, or precepts. Whatever names they are given, they show us how to be decent human beings and how to get along together. This list below proves that the answer to our continuous wars and division cannot simply be religion. It shows that having the discipline to live our lives by our common ground is the answer.

This is a woefully simplified list of the precepts or rules concerning most people on our little planet. There is so, so much more than this brief list that we all have in common. I did the best I could in a short space.

We just need the discipline to study and practice our similarities rather than study and fight about our differences. I was quite surprised when I studied other countries and other people. I was also reminded that the United States was created from all races, beliefs, and many types of people. They are our brothers, sisters, and neighbors.

We know there are extremists in our world because they do not discipline their thinking, but below are things and reasons we can come together.

A Sample of What I Found

Christianity (31.1%) Love God and Love your brother as yourself.

Islam (24.9%) Love God and be good to others.

Irreligion (15.6%) Generally speaking, have the same precepts as others, but no Deity.

Hinduism (15.2%) Buddhism and Hinduism agree on many things: karma, dharma, moksha and reincarnation.

Buddhism (6.6%) To do no evil. To do good. To save all beings.

There is a common theme here: To love and be good to all other beings.

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