Civility, Journalistic Ethics

I’ve noticed for over a year now that people are getting “rude and downright nasty” when it comes to discussing political issues.

Most people have their mind made up, but are only aware of one side of the story. How can that be? Journalism at least ethical journalists present an unbiased presentation of both sides of the story. People recently are make statements that are so biased, that it’s easy to tell that they have only grasped or been presented with one view, and they believed it. They have been shown unprecedented edited video, but never the un-edited version. Why didn’t they seek out the other side of the story, it seems unwise to me. However, in their defense, general honesty is what we could expect of mainstream news sources that we’re presented with in the United States at least, well, until a few years ago.

I get a queasy feeling, WHEN SOME ONE IS TELLING ME SOMETHING THAT BEGINS OR SEEKS TO CREATE CONTENTION, OR STIR HEARTS TO CONTENTION, or FEAR which is the opposite of FAITH. That is my first blinking neon light in my brain that something isn’t right, something isn’t Christ-like.

Sometimes and usually where I am, it’s a member of my congregation, family, or church that does this. However, what if it’s a popular nationally recognized person, a person of influence and stature? My first comfort came when Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s spoke this past Easter Weekend. Read it yourself. We have responsibility to love one another, and do unto others... (you know the scripture). We have a responsibility to feed the hungry, take care of the less fortunate, sick, and needy. It is our Christian duty.

I was so excited to read his talk I went to the website and found the most comforting press releases. http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-mormon-ethic-of-civility and then Http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/journalistic-integrity-and-the-compartmentalization-of-ethics

ok this is the radio station that I listen to. The one that has some common sense journalistic ethics as a standard.

Now I know why, I was confused (again, it was a stupor of thought), thus wrong. I had someone actually say that he didn’t know how anyone that belonged to a certain Party could honestly answer questions to receive a recommend. Wow! If you read those two articles you’ll see why this was … well, whatever it was. Maybe this man is also not so clear on the 12th Article.

Ok, so now, I feel better, and I know why a bad feeling comes when things are wrong. The contention, the strife, the unease, THE STUPOR OF THOUGHT, versus the peace that comes with civil dialogue and exchange of reasonable ideas.

NPR does a great job and it sometimes gives insight into people we know, love and want to help. I don’t always agree, but it helps me to be compassionate, kind to those that are different – even if I don’t understand them. I broadens my perspective and makes it easier to spread the gospel because it helps me to be less judgmental. Oh, I think there was counsel given on that very subject as well!

They’re good reads; I encourage anyone to read publications published with authority. Or engage without malice in the conversation of exchange of ideas, and dialogue dedicated to commonsense solutions.

I know quite a few people that could benefit from this right now. I’m sure you know a few too…. Enjoy the reading! It’s comforting – the opposite of fear or contention. ahhh peace.