Alternet

Are 'Real' Journalists Jealous of Jon Stewart?

By Norman Solomon, AlterNet. Posted September 12, 2008.

It blows the conformist minds of big-name journalists to see "The Daily Show" regularly slam right-wing rulers.

As corporate media coverage of the presidential race becomes even more notably stingy with intrepid journalism, the mainstream press enthusiasm for "The Daily Show" seems more cloying than ever.

The pattern is now a routine feature of the media landscape: "The Daily Show" gets laudatory attention from major news organizations, where countless journalists watch like shackled prisoners in awe of Superman.

Look -- up in the media sky -- it's a bird, it's a plane, it's Jon Stewart!

While news accounts note how many viewers hold faux "news anchor" Stewart in higher esteem as a journalist than the "real" ones at the top of the media pack, there's a sheepish quality to much of the coverage about "The Daily Show."

After all, many big-name journalists have earned their keep by describing and analyzing the embroideries of the emperor's new clothes. It blows their conformist minds to see a network program that regularly exposes right-wing rulers without a stitch.

Last month, a Sunday edition of the New York Times devoted more than two full broadsheet pages to "The Daily Show," starting with a color photo of Stewart that filled nearly half the cover page of the newspaper's "Arts & Leisure" section. The program "has earned a devoted following that regards the broadcast as both the smartest, funniest show on television and a provocative and substantive source of news," eminent Times critic Michiko Kakutani wrote.

Consider the subtexts of this passage in the story: "Mr. Stewart ... and his writers have energetically tackled the big issues of the day -- 'the stuff we find most interesting,' as he said in an interview at the show's Midtown Manhattan offices, the stuff that gives them the most 'agita,' the sometimes somber stories he refers to as his 'morning cup of sadness.' And they've done so in ways that straight news programs cannot: speaking truth to power in blunt, sometimes profane language, while using satire and playful looniness to ensure that their political analysis never becomes solemn or pretentious."

Well, OK. That says a lot about "The Daily Show." But what does it say about the "real" news media -- and especially about the most important and self-important huge media outlets that dispense news with enormous ripple effects across the media terrain?

If -- as the New York Times soberly reported in the article -- "straight news programs cannot" tackle the "big issues of the day" while "speaking truth to power," we should ask a key question: Why not?

But this is not a question that media outlets like the Times seem interested in pursuing to any depth.

Contrasts with the overwhelming bulk of corporate media are primarily drawn to underscore the uniqueness and extraordinary qualities of "The Daily Show." It's exceptional as an exception. Comedy Central's most famous program is in the spotlight, and the vast expanses of the corporate media are the arrays of darkness that make it so conspicuous. What sheds light is punched up by what blocks it.

Absent from the fawning media coverage of "The Daily Show" is evident self-awareness that the elaborate praise is a tacit form of convoluted self-loathing -- in professional terms anyway -- among the likes of, say, Times journalists. Their own media institution is so circumscribed and so lumbering in its daily incarnation that they're apt to be amazed and envious at the incisively documented presentations on "The Daily Show."

That's the way it goes in medialand. What isn't conspicuous is apt to be insidious. The tick-tock of U.S. media hypnosis may be passably good at looking back -- reexamining some aspects of propaganda for the Iraq invasion, for instance, years after it occurs -- while now helping to mesmerize the country into escalation of the war in Afghanistan. But let's not quibble. Everybody has a job to do.

See more stories tagged with: satire, daily show, jon stewart, corporate media

Norman Solomon's latest book Made Love, Got War: Close Encounters with America's Warfare State (PoliPointPress) is available now. For more information go to www.madelovegotwar.com.

But what does it say about the "real" news media?

Posted by: Ghoulman on Sep 12, 2008 2:20 PM

... what indeed!

For years now, the top news show in the USA has been a little comedy show, on late, late, at night, from a small cable network.

Jon Stewart often makes this point; "We're just a comedy show".

The 'real' news media is just a joke.

» RE: But what does it say about the "real" news media? Posted by: Zeugitai

what media?

Posted by: wleming on Sep 12, 2008 4:50 PM

mr. stewart, colbert et.al. ARE the media. Satire and the documentary remain the ONLY media that actually cover the politics of the US. The corporate media is not, repeat NOT a media and should not be confused with one. They are corporate disinformation.

» RE: what media? Posted by: Benjaminsjw

» RE: what media? Posted by: CosmoViking

Long Live Jon Stewart

Posted by: AlteredStates on Sep 12, 2008 5:34 PM

Somebody's got to rein in these motherfuckers. Talk about dip shit news reporting; network TV news is nothing more than a carnival sideshow...two bits a shot. And FOX News, is off-the-wall. Fair and Balanced? Not even close. Does anyone find it odd that all the news networks run the same lead story every day. Odd, that they seem to think that the most important news for the day is the same for all of them.

Then we have the Sunday morning news programs with the usual Rollidex of "experts" all selling the same thing about the war, off shore drilling, the "surge", Obama's lapel flag pin, why Obama didn't place his hand over his heart when the national anthem was being played, etc.

Then they roll out all the "retired" Army and Marine Corps generals who offer their "expert and unbiased" assessment of the latest strategy coming from the Whitehouse. What the networks don't tell you is that the "retired military experts" are really working for the Pentagon and get briefed before going on their assigned news show to peddle their goods and wares. There is one thing you can bet on, and that is, EVERYTHING you hear and see on TV news IS slanted. If you want the REAL news of the day, the best place to go is the Internet, with sites like the one you are on right now. TV? As Tony Soprano would say, "Forget-about-it".

Colbert/Stewart

Posted by: EinMD on Sep 12, 2008 7:13 PM

There are times when i wish he'd go more for the jugular, like when he interviews people like McCain. But

I understand that he's just a comedian.

What's sad is that this Satire is really the only truth IN the media these days. Everyone else is too freaking afraid of their own shadow to actually ask any tough questions because O'Reilly might show up at their houses or something.

» RE: Colbert/Stewart Posted by: LJinFla

The Usual Suspects and Political Diversion

Posted by: adamsja4 on Sep 12, 2008 7:13 PM

In all the revelry of Norm's mastery of the obvious, let's keep our eyes on the prize.

Norm has spent months publishing rabidly pro-Obama propaganda, debasing progressives, stifling dissent, and stigmatizing 3rd party/independent politics. This piece is a nice departure from Norm's usual "McCain as the devil" fear mongering. However, it doesn't really stray to far from his usual motif.

Norm is a smart guy; this piece is like a pill stuffed inside a tasty appetizer - a diversion:

a) Pay attention to the last line:

"The tick-tock of U.S. media hypnosis may be passably good at looking back -- reexamining some aspects of propaganda for the Iraq invasion, for instance, years after it occurs -- while now helping to mesmerize the country into escalation of the war in Afghanistan"

Norm blames the reified "media" whipping boy to shift our eyes away from the INDIVIDUALS behind the drive to escalate the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan: Obama/Biden! Ohh Snap!

You know, the VP candidate who screamed like a hawk for more war in the Middle East during this DNC acceptance speech. You know, the presidential candidate who figuratively blew Bill O'Reilly last week and stated the "surge succeeded beyond our wildest dreams".

There are real individuals and interests that drive and enable the "media" to beat the drums of war, like Obama/Biden and the democratic party. Norm is the commissar out in front trying to finagle progressives into believing these guys are the fertile soil for the future of the progressive movement.

b) This piece is really only interesting and insightful in the context of Norm's recent writings and what it doesn't say.

Norm, haven taken a break from fear mongering the republicans and effectively leveraging the culture of fear, might have taken this opportunity to draft a substantive and informative progressive argument for Obama/Biden. Norm could outline the ways in which an Obama/Biden administration could be leveraged and influenced by progressives in spite of the overwhelming imperialist and corporate institutions that will inundate Obama/Biden when they take office. These are the same neoliberal institutions that Norm freely admits already have a stranglehold on Obama and the democratic party.

All Norm can do is decry the obvious political spectacle and disingenuously suggest that an incompetent "media" is why we are looking at more civilian deaths and budding jihadists in Afghanistan and Pakistan! This is garbage. One reason is people who support pro-war candidates like McCain, Obama, Biden, and Palin.

If this is the call for more critical journalism, then why doesn't Norm follow his own advice and publish a piece decrying his candidates support for more war? Oh that's right, according to Norm we do this after we have debased and disempowered ourselves by voting for war mongers.

Oh by the way, spare me the bullshit where you say that the civilian death toll and number of budding jihadists created under a McCain administration would be much worse.

This is all part of the Norm "narrative" to deny the stranglehold that neoliberal interest have over both major parties.

» RE: The Usual Suspects and Political Diversion Posted by: daniel w vermillion

» RE: The Usual Suspects and Political Diversion**BUSH IS ATTACKING PAKISTAN RIGHT NOW** Posted by: maribelle

» RE: The Usual Suspects and Political Diversion Posted by: sekfetenmet

Maybe They Are Jealous

Posted by: ranchero42 on Sep 12, 2008 8:37 PM

Jon Stewart is in an enviable position. Maybe they're jealous that Jon has a boss that won't fire him for speaking his mind. I'M jealous because the First Amendment is suspended where I work.

JON STEWART IS NOT A JOURNALIST

Posted by: VZEQICVA on Sep 12, 2008 8:55 PM

He never said he was. He does not REPORT the news. After the legitimate journalists do the REAL reporting he goes at it. It's called satire. It's a very ancient form of entertainment, making fun of leaders and other important people. It kept the peasants laughing and still does, to this day. It also pisses off some of the people being satirized. It's neither serious nor complicated. relax and have a good laugh. ANNA

» RE: JON STEWART IS NOT A JOURNALIST Posted by: amerimet

» RE: JON STEWART IS NOT A JOURNALIST but he said he pretends to be one because the real ones won't do

Posted by: doinaheckuvajob

the "networks"

Posted by: cwilsondrum on Sep 13, 2008 6:26 PM

are full of little pussies who are scared shitless of their masters and have no problem whoring out themselves for a big mortgage, and lunch at the (fill in the blank). they have forgotten what news is. they only know makeup and infotainment. not to mention fabricating something that will get them some kind of ratings. fuck the truth or news. it's the bottom line in a world of hair and suits with nothing but manequins in them.

Dullards elsewhere too

Posted by: hquain on Sep 14, 2008 3:49 AM

The real question is why the Obama campaign hasn't hired his entire stable of writers.

» RE: Dullards elsewhere too Posted by: LJinFla

james

Posted by: seilnotnilc on Sep 14, 2008 4:49 AM

Though Jon Stewart tends to lean left his show exposes hypocrisy where ever he finds it. see 'the tide is turning' about Hillary Clinton. If the truth is told in jest, this is the best example of truth.

Soco

Posted by: SocoLoco on Sep 19, 2008 5:03 AM

Lest we not forget Jon works for Comedy Central, which is owned by Viacom, a global media company.

» RE: OFF WITH HIS HEAD! Posted by: kroltan

MSM as propaganda ministry

Posted by: fairinheight511 on Sep 21, 2008 11:16 AM

Because it is. And when I read the above article, it aptly described free journalists held back by infiltrated newsrooms.

Solomon's line: "vast expanses of the corporate media are the arrays of darkness that make [The Daily Show] so conspicuous." is brilliant.

Now imagine that darkness to be @rmy Inte1 working in the newsroom, as they did at CNN, and you're on to something.

Don't dismiss it as incompetence. That is what they want us to think of the Bush administration. Bush is rather an excellent showman. We are almost supposed to feel sorry for this aw shucks everyman in over his head.

The truth about Bush and the media is that they are puppets whose masters have very undemocratic agandae.

Wasn't it ever thus?

Posted by: Age of Reason on Sep 24, 2008 7:05 AM

That only the court jester could speak truth to power without losing his head? Among the few rare places to see the lies and hypocrisy laid bare on SOFCOM* are The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. Thank you so very much Mr. Stewart and Mr. Colbert! (Credit is also due to Mr. Olbermann and to Ms. Maddow who regularly run the risk of beheading by their not wearing a jester's mantle.)

Please help to put a true independent from New York in the Senate in 2010. I am running as the grassroots candidate to take that seat from one more entrenched incumbent who represents his Wall Street backers over "We, the People."

(Just how entrenched a politician is Mr. Charles Ellis Schumer? He has not held a job in the private sector EVER!) I simply ask that you spread the word; tell a friend. Or two or three. Or more.

Michael W. Lurie for U.S. Senate (I-NY) - in 2010 - Note: Facebook login required

*SOFCOM: Sanctioned Official Fawning Corporate-Owned Media

The only release from the agony

Posted by: outsideagitator on Sep 29, 2008 4:35 PM

of watching the so-called mainstream media (or more accurately the corporate media) is to watch the Stewart show and the follow up (The Colbert Reprt) watching the endless bull shit we who still waste our time trying to watch these clowns and get some bit of truth endure. But more, it is an opportunity to laugh, even in the face of the obscene power structure that hold too many of our fellow citizens in thrall.

In my opinion my fellow citizens have been cowed by 9-11 and the Bush administration that is as I write working hard to impose a fascist infrastructure on the USA via the many twists and turns of the "Patriot Act". Mr. Sullivan has said it exactly right. Why is it that, after being caught unprofessionally supporting the illegal war on Iraq they do not fess up and resolve to do better? Be combative? Fight back at least for the integrity of their profession as journalists, if not for the country? They are just a bunch of cheap shills is why! Joseph