News Shaming?

Can someone consume news only to be shamed for recounting it?

The legendary artist Janet Jackson may just be victim of such a scenario.

Ms. Jackson ignited controversy in a Guardian publication interview. When she was prodded concerning presidential politics, she made an observation. She indicated that VP and Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris was of Indian descent. She reportedly said: “She’s not black. That’s what I heard … that she’s Indian.”

The media maelstrom that ensued from Ms. Jackson’s interview was typical for individuals who express facts outside of the so-called mainstream narrative. The fallout from her expressing herself has been described as nightmarish. The media has portrayed Ms. Jackson as being in crisis mode as a result of her comments. This debacle is so out of hand that there is controversy as to whether she walked back her comments.

Essentially, she is now subject to a perverse form of cancel culture. The mainstream media seems all too comfortable damaging of one’s reputation and cause a loss of wealth or income.

Is the media shaming of Ms. Jackson over her comments justified?

The answer requires asking a simple question that the media will never ask. “Where would anyone get the notion that VP Harris is someone of Indian Heritage?”

Most likely, they got it from the media. Long before the media realizes that certain facts fall outside of their lock-step narrative, they reported on these matters.

At the initial outbreak of covid, I consumed many news items that it was likely caused by a lab leak. Eventually, it was determined that the leak theory was not the desired narrative. After that, an individual recalling the lab leak facts subjected one to derision and accusations of lunacy.

With the Janet Jackson controversy, there is an CNBC news report which is particularly insightful. It covers India’s Prime Minister Modi’s address before the United States Congress. VP Harris was both present and presided over this particular session. It is 1:14 in length.

This video shows the United States Congress in unison giving a India’s Prime Minister a standing ovation. He received this laudatory moment after he making reference to VP Kamala Harris’ Indian heritage.

If you are in the media and reporting on Janet Jackson, this Congressional Session never happened. Only when the media erases historical events can they be empowered to slur the likes of Ms. Jackson. Ms. Jackson’s crime has been that she is a talented influential performer who has a mind of her own.

The media’s all too convenient amnesia opens the door to be wildly accusatory. The media have created a fantastical high road for themselves. From there, they are able to launch unfounded accusations of evil, ignorance and racism.

Why do journalists engage in “news shaming”?

Thus, in Ms. Jackson’s instance, the reasons for the shaming can be any of the following:

(a) bias

(b) morally bankrupt

(c) ignorance

(d) the need to create flippant gossip for the purposes of drumming up circulation or clicks

It is abhorrent that reporters don’t ask the question “why?” If they did in this instance, it is likely that they would have no story or controversy.

They are more than willing to ignore people’s good cause to believe that VP Kamala Harris is of Indian heritage. The reality is that there is nothing wrong with someone asserting Indian heritage. India is a proud country of many great accomplishments. What is their problem?

Conclusion

In sum, the media’s commitment to pursue their agenda requires them to ignore facts. These erasures are necessary so that they may enact an inquisition upon the offending consumer. The offense; the ability to recount facts.

In the end, Ms. Jackson certainly is owing an apology.

Be well!!

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