Thursday, August 16, 2007

Are journalists avoiding the truth because it easier that way?

I have been listening to what seems to be the same story on a loop on news channels for a few weeks. The story is about our plummeting stock market and how the sub-prime loan market has added to this downward spiral. Before I started this class i thought something was missing from the story. Now I'm sure. I have not heard an interview from a single person who signed someone up for a "sub-prime" loan, nor have I heard an interview from someone with a "sub-prime" loan. This whole mortgage industry crap is scummy and that is a given. Journalists covering the issue should work to expose all of the elements that went into this inevitable bursting bubble. They should not add to the idea that the people who got those awful loans are not worthy of loaning money too without exploring who those people are and asking them what they understood the loans to be when they signed up for them. There is a whole side of this story that embarks on a new age and a new language of discrimination that I have not heard anyone address. People should be aware of what they are up against; the government, crime, and the banks. Journalist can tell people what the dangers are in life and they should. This whole mortgage loan thing is a danger that is turned around on the people like they are the dangerous ones. Where is Chris Hansen when you need him???

1 comment:

CaraS said...

Whoever filed this - you make some very valid points. The stories are focused mostly on institutions and not people. Let's get to the bottom of the mess. It won't be pretty, but it is not a tough one to report.

Professor Benedetto