How do we communicate to journalists that we do not trust them anymore? How do they regain our trust?

Maj John Bell — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 00:23:11 -0500

Response by SN Greg Wright made Nov 15 at 2016 12:24 AM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 00:24:12 -0500

We elect Donald Trump.

Edit: Humor aside, we continue to blow them off until they begin demonstrating some integrity. As this week has shown us, eventually they're bound to get the point. One way or another.

Response by CPT Tom Monahan made Nov 15 at 2016 12:29 AM

CPT Tom Monahan — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 00:29:08 -0500

Simple, stop buying their writings and watching their programs.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 15 at 2016 12:30 AM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 00:30:06 -0500

tell them to their face ... You Lie ...
and How to get it back ... Tell the truth... no matter how much it hurts... stop the Spinning and sugar coating...

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 15 at 2016 12:57 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 00:57:14 -0500

Rehire Brian Williams. He never (COUGH COUGH), told a lie.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Nov 15 at 2016 1:08 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 01:08:45 -0500

One reason while on a civilian Police Department we would not talk to them, the press would add things that were never said. By the time they printed the story You wondered if You were even reading or hearing about the same event. Seems there was such a spin on it the just made up their own version. I have had members of the press asked for something and told them no, when You start getting the stories right then maybe, You can't misquote if I say nothing.right now ! You have no level of trust and that is why none of us will give You any information.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 15 at 2016 2:08 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 02:08:22 -0500

They will not regain our trust until they quit being ideologues and start being news professionals again. They need to become more intellectually diverse and get out of their liberal echo chamber.

Unfortunately, this will not likely happen with today's MSM; propagandists cannot be reformed - they will have to go bankrupt first and be replaced with more principled, objective news organizations.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 6:36 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 06:36:14 -0500

If you had a bad personal experience with a journalist but it's important for the relationship to continue, then let them know they let you down, that you expect better, and that they will have to earn back your trust before using you as a source. It's the same for any trust relationship. Trust is a two way street, and a lot of journalists don't trust the military members they interact with either. Also, consider that journalists are working for people who sometimes exploit and twist their work for political or monetary purposes. They get paid because someone somewhere is providing a market for their journalism. In the news business editors ensure that what's published is what sells. Maybe an editor put a great deal of pressure to conform to reader/purchaser expectations on the journalist. Maybe the journalist compromised his integrity so that he could seem more capable. If the journalist is in a position of getting a newsworthy story out that caters to a publication business' readership, then that might affect the accuracy of the reporting as well. If you're really disturbed by the reporting, If you decide to elevate the problem you could get in contact with the news editor, or ombudsman for the news source to state your case. Any reputable news source will accept a letter to the editor. That might result in someone getting fired or reprimanded, a retraction being printed, or some other remedy if the trust issue is egregious. You might also want to discuss this with your public affairs office. Maybe you can alert them to poor journalistic practices. This could lead to access restrictions or more powerful complaints lodged with the publication because PA personnel deal with the press on an ongoing basis.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 7:18 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 07:18:55 -0500

I have never been quoted accurately from a journalist or reporter outside of a local military one. I start by telling them that and asking for a read ahead prior to print.
Also, make sure you have PAO approval. These guys have a job to make sure everything is on the up and up.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Nov 15 at 2016 8:28 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 08:28:05 -0500

The average American uses CNN, Fox, MSNBC, etc, as their daily news source. Usually those interested, in, or involved in politics, follow "alternative news". I don't necessarily trust, nor do I distrust journalists. I tend to ready a little bit of everything and formulate my own opinion. It's very hard to have unbiased news, and if there is, honestly it'll be pretty boring to read and watch.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Nov 15 at 2016 9:05 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 09:05:09 -0500

It goes back to what they're teaching in J schools these last couple decades. It's no longer about reporting the events of the day so that the people may understand and decide for themselves; today's journalists are taught to believe their job is to "change the world"--for whatever the hell that means--and craft the story for the unwashed masses.

Add into the mix the business considerations and you have a recipe for poor journalism. Most journalists don't get into the business to make millions, but their employers are in it to make a buck. Revenue may not be king in journalism, but it damn sure aint the court jester!

In a lot of ways the ethics of journalism have reverted back to the partisan and factional olden days, whether your talking mass mainstream media or the rise of the openly partisan blogosphere. Dispassionate journalism with an eye toward fair and factional reporting really had it's golden era in the 20th century.

You want to get mainstream journalism back to a place where the people--right, left and the huge numbers in between--can trust that we are hearing all the facts; that there is equal time (and quality) for all sides in a story; that pertinent stories are being presented, not hidden; that journalists are working to address their own natural human biases? Then a good 1st step is the next generation of journalists need to unlearn the "change the world" model of active advocacy journalism. And as consumers of news, we can do our part in demanding better quality news; not hide ourselves in the openly biased news outlets we feel most comfortable in and are least challenged by; and lastly, stop buying their product until the product improves.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Nov 15 at 2016 9:48 AM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 09:48:05 -0500

They regain trust the same way a philandering spouse does... eat sh*t

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 4:49 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 16:49:14 -0500

Stop watching their "news". The media reports on what will bring them ratings, not what matters. The reason why everything on the news is bad, shootings, sexual harassment, etc... is because people keep watching it.
Look at Anchorman 2 (seriously), the movie pointed it all out. People paid attention to a useless car chase as opposed to an interview with Yassir Arafat. Yes, it's a ridiculous movie but the point was dead on. Humans like to see bad stuff, or better yet, bad things turned into horrible things. If we as a society stop watching what they show, they will need to change their lineup to get ratings. News and media are just like an electronics company - they want money. There are very few journalists who just want to report the true stories. The ratings are all that matters because that brings in more money.
I hate the news because it's all one sided and always has some political agenda. Only one side of the story is told and it favors whichever political agenda that outlet sides with. You can never get the full story.
It's pretty sad when the best places to get American news are the BBC and Aljazeera.
Way to go America, abused the Constitution to the point of idiocracy. The first Amendment has been absolutely ruined by the likes of news and religious groups hiding behind it to be completely untouchable in any way.
Even the second Amendment doesn't have that much freedom. If it did, we could all own AT-4s and M240s - the equivalent of uncontrolled media outlets and cults that hide behind their "religious ideals" to get tax free status for a few individuals benefits.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 5:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 17:02:41 -0500

What's this we stuff? It depends on the journalist. Depends on the organization. I trust the journalists I know who I worked with while I was interning to get my journailsm degree.

Response by MSG Charles Turner made Feb 15 at 2018 5:05 PM

MSG Charles Turner — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 17:05:11 -0500

That Sir, IS the QUESTION! They have the BIGGEST EGOs! They seem to present themselves as EVERYONE ELSE IS WRONG...

my opinion

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 15 at 2018 5:23 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 17:23:06 -0500

How can you trust them? They and their bosses put their own spin on everything, show/report only what they want to and facts be damned.