Journalism And The Sad Reflection!

So, the “Gulls” are wanted back at work? By whom one would ask? A Sunday newspaper printed false news that the Government are planning to open schools on 11 May and prepare for easing the lockdown.. Why? The new Opposition party and sections of the press and media are demanding a plan for our return to work and an “Exit Strategy”, but should we even be thinking about that yet? Should we not focus our energies on the brave NHS workers on the front line, carers in nursing homes and the community, and the continuing spread of the Coronavirus?

The Government has of course announced this is NOT their agenda! Their message has been loud and clear as we navigate our way through the pandemic. In a national crisis one would have hoped for unity and solidarity supporting the NHS and saving lives! Where was the Labour Party at the start of the Pandemic? Unsighted, slugging it out, vilifying their leader and engaging in further erosion of their reputation as a meaningful and credible opposition! They were after all, at that point still a Party in opposition! People are demanding co-operation, solidarity, and a one-nation spirit not mean-spiritedness!

The call to work by the press and their disinformation is more about apocalyptic compression of their audience and market, not about Covid-19, Rather it reflects the dire deterioration in their abilities and journalistic skills to accurately investigate, report on news and public opinion. Time after time we witness instead, journalistic egotism and overbearing smugness.

In watching several interviews with First Ministers, Government Ministers, and other key figures during the recent election campaign, and now during the coronavirus epidemic, one could not mistake the aggressive style and hostility towards the guests. Disrespectful, cynical, and unprofessional, certainly not an appropriate or even incisive, style of journalism. Their own political affiliations and prejudiced views often shine through. Often one-dimensional, a bit like the “One Trick Pony” really! Questions are pre-prepared as on an “Idiot Board”, and the interviewee grilled and berated with such hostility it is no wonder viewers and listeners are disgusted by their condescending unforgivable arrogance.

This is not smart thinking, but it does speak volumes about the decline of their profession and industry. We are much more evolved and educated as a people to endure such insults and this conceited and nihilistic behaviour.

. In time of a National Crisis it is a pity they cannot stand up to the mark, make a meaningful contribution, and show some loyalty and humility. This is a Pandemic the like of which have never been before, and in respecting the lives lost, the unimaginable grief suffered by so many, and the sheer dedication and skills of our NHS they should perhaps stop being vindictive and malicious to under-pressure Governments. The shame is on you!

Finally, it is important to reflect on the nonsense that is the Sunday news today. “PM’s lockdown dilemma – risk killing the economy or thousands of people?” To the uninitiated, those who do not work actively and positively in the economy, we are a resilient and industrious people. There are those who look to divide and inflict their own misery on others. We have afforded them our misplaced patronage in recent years but fortunately we are now witnessing their dying throes! We are strong and we are loyal with an undaunted focus in respecting the wishes of the people and our Governments. Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives. They were after all elected by us ( it’s called a Democracy), and we trust them to do the best that they can do in these exceptional circumstances, adapt, re-focus and as mistakes are made, rectify them. If there are recriminations, now is not the time and by then one would hope that decency, respect, humility, and understanding will prevail and not destructive profanities.