Letters to the Editor

Media madness

To the Editor:

In response to Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan ("Political coverage that leaves out the issues," The Daily Pennsylvanian, 02/03/04), we get versions of the news that are spun by pundits to varying degrees, depending upon the source. If Ms. Kwak-Hefferan wishes to be fully informed, National Public Radio, the BBC, The Independent and The Guardian are reliable sources. MSNBC, NBC, CNBC, Fox, Viacom, Sony, Disney and Clear Channel -- among many others -- provide "infotainment."

Rupert Murdoch and other media moguls are twisting FCC Chairman Michael Powell's arm to pave the way toward media consolidation. Controlling the message for the relatively underinformed public is the goal. I guess their corporate sponsors and even the current administration don't really want us to be questioning the establishment, let alone confronting it.

Ms. Kwak-Hefferan alludes to the stance that media spokesmen may take: "To stay afloat, we have to give you what you want." To some degree, this is true. "If it bleeds, it leads" is a tenet of news services. Scandal, sensationalism and fear sell ... or at least the media would prefer the populace to be distracted by these issues, rather than focus on what really makes a difference in our lives.

Individual activism is the only response we can offer in order to insist that those within our own circles of influence are engaged with matters that affect our common experience and the quality of life in our country. We can't depend on politicians and the media to deliver; they have their own special interests to satisfy.

Matthew Schwartz, M.D.

College '83

Defending Dems' leadership

To the Editor:

If the column by Steve Brauntuch ("A leadership gap that leaves the Dems defenseless," The Daily Pennsylvanian, 01/21/04) is an indication of what a senior communications major writes, the Annenberg School for Communication owes his family a refund.

The column was an attempt by the writer to show that he's smarter than Andy Reid, Donovan McNabb and all members of the Democratic Party.

Anyone connected to the Eagles will say that McNabb is their leader. They will recall that he played most of a game last year with a broken ankle. And anyone with any sports experience will say that playing with an injury such as the one McNabb suffered would actually hurt the team more than help it. Coach Reid, one of the best in the game, says without qualification that McNabb is his team's leader on and off the field.

As for the Democratic Party, Brauntuch claims that the party "can't find anyone with a voice loud enough to draw a crowd." Really? Hundreds of thousands of new voters have registered and volunteered for the Democrats. Dean raised $41 million, a huge part of it in amounts of $100 or less. Sounds like a crowd to me.

Brauntuch's sole stated criterion for a successful politician is that he can "appear charismatic ... on The Tonight Show." This is an especially depressing commentary on this culture -- that to be a leader, one must appear on moronic TV shows and exhibit "charisma."

How about public records and statements? Wes Clark, a retired Army general, is not a leader? John Kerry, a decorated Vietnam War veteran who later organized opposition to that war, isn't a leader?

A column about leadership implies that the writer is well versed in that subject. If Brauntuch believes that spouting off his silly biases is proof of leadership, he gets an F in that category.

Robert Broderick

College '73

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