Journalism Standards

I certainly don't have all the answers, but listening to the same story twice this morning, once on the so-called national news, and once on the local news, highlighted for me something that is truly missing in news reporting here, the tripartite split between news of national, or even international importance, news of local importance, and news that is of no importance, but can serve to entertain, or educate.

The story in question this morning was about somebody getting shot at a social gathering near my local community. Indeed very sad for the parties involved, and frightening for the wider community, but NOT on its own a national news story. The national story that wasn't reported was possibly something like are there lessons here for other communities to prevent this, what is the government at the national level going to do about increased gun related violence etc. In short what does this story have to do with national issues.

It seems that while some journalists learn about information management / research, what they should be learning are the media's role in shaping public opinion, and forging a consensual local, regional, and national identity. I would propose some core history, politics and geography courses related to these ideas. The idea that they should forge ahead and seek out the truth is now an outdated, naive, and foolish idea. Instead they should recognize the power they have, hold politicians and other decision makers (the other four estates) accountable, and in an ideal world present all truths. Moreover, they should be accountable to their community, and not pretend that a story locally is of national importance; a scandal on Bay Street / Wall Street / Threadneedle Street is not necessarily of interest three blocks in either direction. Very sad for Mr. Drabinsky (and his victims), but why is that dribble in my national news.