Braver Angels Media Action
What Is a Braver Angels Action Group?
Action Groups are formed to pursue issues of public policy on a continuing rather than an ad hoc basis subject to oversight by Braver Angels. Braver Angels' mission includes not only depolarizing, but also engaging those committed to finding common ground to tackle important issues together.
Pilot Project
The Media Action Group, a pilot project of Braver Angels, is a working group of people from diverse perspectives and backgrounds who have engaged in study of the complex issues surrounding news media. Our study has a brought us to conclude that:
Media has capitalized on our tribalistic tendencies, failed to provide the objectivity that ensures trustworthy facts essential for sound decision-making in our society, and kept us in a negative feedback loop."
In other words, media has become a major factor in the increasing polarization of America and to a sharp decline in trust in the media. The objective of the Media Action Group is:
To stimulate an improvement in the reporting of serious news and opinion in our country"
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As a pilot project, the Media Action Group is developing the first prototype for hoped-for future groups to be able to hone and refine the process for other Braver Angels.
The pilot group works within guardrails: Taking a position on policy would require the support of 75 percent of Braver Angels. For instance, certain types of actions would take 75% of reds and 75% of blues in an alliance to approve.
The pilot group works within guardrails: Taking a position on policy would require the support of 75 percent of Braver Angels. For instance, certain types of actions would take 75% of reds and 75% of blues in an alliance to approve.
Where we are now:
The Media Action group began a series of meetings starting back in October 2020. The six Media Action Group events topics wrapped up in February 2021, with Action Teams beginning to form.
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The Media Action Group ProcessAt a series of events over several months, participants studied what media ought to be, the role it is intended to play in our society, and what the standards are to which journalism and journalists ought to be held. Then there's the role of how media is funded and the pressures of changing business pressures brought about by deregulation, technological changes and the influence of social media which has had disruptive effects in spite of its positive aspects.
Our study also delved into bias, the reasons for it, the many ways it manifests, as well as the spreading of propaganda, misinformation, and fear. Opinion versus news reporting was part of that study. We took a look at the present state of media and what the possibilities for new business models to provide sufficient support for good journalism was also investigated. As the work moved into a later phase, the development of action plans to begin the work of effecting change in our media, the Winston Churchill quote comes to mind: Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." |
Explore Braver Angels
You are invited to join Braver Angels in our mission to depolarize the country through working to improve the media. To find out about a Braver Angels Media Action event – or any other upcoming Braver Angels event – you can find one here:
How We Work
Each of the six events leading up to this new phase of decision-making involved educating ourselves and others on the stresses on the media issue and the factors involved in the current state of affairs.
The Media Action Group's events are to:
- Create a vision for news delivery that provides the basis for trust and productive problem-solving
- Demonstrate the potential for media improvement
- Highlight and provide examples of how news delivery can be done accurately and thoroughly
- Create public pressure for change
What Should We Be Able to Expect from News Reporting?
The Gap Between What IS and What SHOULD Be
The Five Core Values of Journalism
Responsible Media
- Provide the information citizens need to exercise their right and duty to ensure and maintain effective government
- Provide the information people need to effectively manage their lives
What Is The Role Of The Media In Society Anyway?
IMPORTANT ROLES:
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RESPONSIBLE MEDIA SEEKS TO BE:
THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO EXPECT THE INFORMATION PRODUCED TO BE:
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Ted Koppel Discusses the State of Journalism and Democracy
Amanpour and Company
Youtube, 18 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9XhsAP2gkI
Amanpour and Company
Youtube, 18 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9XhsAP2gkI
Standards of Professionalism Journalism
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Bill Kovach & Tom Rosenthiel, The Elements of Journalism; What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect.
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