Today, with access to news and information more available than ever, I fear “we, the people” may be failing as citizens of our democracy. It seems, our all-American penchant for shopping has emerged anew as a public desire to pick and choose from the “news store” only our favorite facts, as if we were browsing for a new car or that perfect outfit.

Today’s media is hell-bent on accommodating us. Most electronic media enterprises, including purveyors of cable’s so-called “news” channels have discovered where the money is---in catering to our individual shopping sprees for the most comfortable “facts”…the ones that fit our beliefs. Apparently, we want news that tells us we are right and don’t want to endure the dissonance of hearing we might be wrong about an opinion and thus compelled to change our minds.

Ratings show that among our information sources, be they on TV or the internet…those channels that reinforce the favorite alternate “realities” of specific constituencies on the political left or right, have many more of us viewing than do channels that make a genuine attempt at applying sound journalism ethics and true fairness to the reporting of national issues.

The internet’s unrestrained access by users has a gigantic downside. Anyone can put anything online, whether true or not, and those words remain on the web, true or not, forever, never to be retired to the information graveyard where lies and distortions belong.

At KOCE, our mission is One Community. We think responsible media can bring us together if it treats us as a community of citizens rather than just as consumers in a marketplace. Occasionally, I hear someone say that PBS is too conservative or too liberal…yes, I hear both. These are the people who want us to reinforce their paradigms, rather than tell them the truth.

Some say public broadcasting is too focused on things intellectual in our pursuit of enlightenment. To that, I plead guilty...proudly.

Today, the PBS Brand is still the most trusted media brand in America*. We have no agenda beyond fairly and accurately researching, double checking, and conveying facts, pretty or ugly, powerful or subtle.

If you still value ethical reporting and story telling that is not driven by some ideology, please contact me. Let’s have a conversation about how we can work together to enhance the quality of the local and national dialogue and make progress toward a goal of One Community of accurately and fully informed citizens.

Sincerely,

Mel Rogers
President & CEO