Lazy Journalism: the flip-flop trap

I grow increasingly cynical of the news media these days when it comes to superficial coverage. I’m tired of the claim, counter-claim reporting. Where’s the analysis? It’s not enough, and in some cases, ethical to simply repeat a statement. Moreover, I grow weary of another form of superficial journalism – the go-to-crutch of political commentary – the ‘flip-flop’.

Ruth Marcus is right. Not every shift in policy equates to a ‘flip-flop’, much less a one-size-fits-all transgression. A shift may come as a result of changing circumstances or signal pragmatic considerations. It may even suggest open-mindedness, where a political actor changes his or her mind. In some cases, a political actor is accused of ‘flip-flopping’ based on a shift in tone as opposed to actual policy (TNR).

Our news sources continue to let us down. Yesterday’s editorial in the G&M, entitled “The quest for the middle”, exemplifies such superficial journalism. There is no discussion, much less analysis, on the practical concerns surrounding the new FISA bill and Telco immunity, for example (Wes Alwan).

It’s simply easier to reinforce the ‘conventional wisdom’ than to actually do some analysis.