An Open Letter to the “Big Three” Network Media

I do not have cable, so my television news channel choices are restricted to the network stations and PBS (hooray for PBS!). And truthfully, I enjoy much of the network programming. However, I am, like many Americans, disappointed that the news coverage generally is cookie-cutter, fast-food, sound bite, sensationalized drivel. In particular, watching the coverage of the Occupy Movement (on any of my local stations) is like watching lemmings jumping off a cliff– all focus on the somewhat superficial local ordinance concerns of people staying in a public park– TO THE EXCLUSION OF THE REAL social ISSUES THE MOVEMENT REPRESENTS.

Dear Network Media: Do you understand what this movement is about? It is about the majority of the honest, hard-working people of this country getting a fair deal and a chance to improve their lives. It’s about no longer being willing to allow the hijacking and stripping of fundamental ethics in our society and culture: common decency, fairness, truth, honesty, integrity, et al.

Here is a quote that summarizes it: “Wall Street owns the country…. Money rules…. Our laws are the output of a system which clothes rascals in robes and honesty in rags. The [political] parties lie to us and the political speakers mislead us.”

In fact, this is a quote from populist orator Mary Elizabeth Lease during the prairie revolt that swept the Great Plains in 1890. But it could be a quote from today’s Occupy Movement! How long this has been going on!

We the people, and I’m assuming this includes most Network employees, are done with being lied to, manipulated, ignored, dumbed-down, silenced and impoverished– and all this so that the relative minority can prosper! This is the real issue at hand: the “meta-bowl” within which many specific injustices and related issues are contained.

Not only are “they” financially prospering, but in many instances humanity’s life source, Earth, is being wantonly and irrevocably destroyed on the fast road of personal fortune for the select few and seductive consumerism for the masses. Among the many reasons why such blind recklessness is unacceptable, there is more than enough hard evidence that such myopia will not bode well for anyone’s survival on the planet over the long term.

It’s time (long overdue, actually) that we have a fundamental paradigm shift in our consciousness, in our economic and social systems, and future vision. This WILL occur eventually and inevitably—and it IS occurring, hence the Occupy Movement—whether or not the Network Media brings light to it, but why get left behind? Why endorse and perpetuate the deliberately crafted corporate-induced mindlessness and obfuscation of the Truth that keeps citizens afraid, poor, ignorant, and scrambling for daily survival, so that we barely have a moment to think about what is really happening, let alone be responsive or proactive about it? As it has been so aptly said, “If we’re not part of the solution, we’re part of the problem.” (Note to self: Rewrite this. No need to publicize your naive optimism that the Network Media isn’t part of the problem or that it might actually give a shit.)

To put it very plainly, what I am asking from the Network Media is that you do what most people know in their heart, mind, and pocketbook is “the right thing,” rather than pandering to the deceptive practices of the puppeteers jerking our strings.

Please won’t you step up and cover the REAL issues at hand –and demonstrate the kind of media-engendered leadership that will help Americans to help ourselves: to restore balance, dignity, and a culture of hope.

Thank you for your time and considered response.