As political midterm approaches, it has not been a good time for the columnist and commentator. And in this group one can include talk show hosts, whether on radio or television. The commentator has fallen to new lows in the estimation of Joe Public. There are reasons for this!
For example, a prominent radio talk show host, and someone this contributor and columnist considers a respected friend, made an untypical misstep in making certain assertions a few days ago on his show. As a result, he brought hot coals pouring down on the heads of writers and public speakers in the Virgin Islands. But why was this?
Well, a story in the online media of July 8, titled, “Columnists, talk show hosts ignored by government,” stated that a certain talk show host had complained that commentators are being ignored by government. Yes, this assertion, albeit accurate, was clearly a misstep. Why?
Because it clearly missed what the commentator and columnist is all about in his or her writing and public discussion. It is imperative the public understands that a commentator is simply a person who discusses news and current events in the written media or on radio and television.
A columnist, on the other hand, focuses on writing. He or she writes commentaries and opinion pieces in a newspaper or magazine, including the ubiquitous online media. Often, the stories written by the columnist are discussed by the radio and TV commentator, who may invite a columnist or contributor onto a show. And vice-versa: The columnist or contributor to a newspaper may write a story about a radio or television discussion that matters, in an op-ed piece.
‘Symbiotic’
There is a symbiotic relationship between these two frequently indistinct groups of opinion givers. But know this: The task of these often public figures ends in their giving their opinion on a matter or issue. And most commentators are quite happy to leave it at that! But for the op-ed writer or talk show host, going beyond giving a personal, albeit informed, opinion on a matter is frequently a slippery and dangerous slope — especially when the foray is into the realm of the policy maker and politician. This is the role of the activist, and when the commentator becomes a social or political activist, then he or she is in a new and much different ballgame.
Commentators may or may not influence the course of events in community and society. When they do influence critical matters, then that is simply because this is a feature of the national media beast. And it is done, or should be done, unintentionally.
Commentators are not called to influence governments and policy makers. And they attempt to do so at their own peril, in this writer’s opinion. Yes, they may do so indirectly, just as any other man or woman on the street could, by voicing their opinion on a matter that falls on the ears of the powerful. And yes, of course, the commentator gets the benefit of the public pulpit when formulating and expressing his opinion. The activist, on the other hand, may be a commentator, but the activist’s role is to clearly influence public opinion in the pursuit of a cause he or she may hold dear.
Media’s influence
Okay, this story is not about the activist. It is about the commentator. And the journalistic and media professions are called the “Fourth Estate” for a good reason. The press, whether in the form of the reporter, investigative journalist, columnist or commentator, knowingly or unknowingly, often influences public opinion — especially the opinion of the reading, watching, listening and thinking public. But the Fourth Estate is certainly not expected or required to influence or direct public policy or the affairs of state. When the Fourth Estate influences politics, it often does so unwittingly and unknowingly; and this is so because it is given that privilege by the all-powerful public.
This influence on the public mind is a good thing. It keeps the powers that be in check. And it does so by making them more cautious, transparent and accountable.
However, public policy and its direction is the arena of the politician, policy maker and voter, especially at election time. Or it is changed by the people in mass movement, uprising, or revolution, which can become necessary — as in the Egyptian model. This is where the activist is in his or her element. When commentators get too involved in power politics, they frequently take a hit. And that is what has happened recently in the VI.
Yes, the commentator may voice an opinion on political matters, but if he or she is not careful, he or she is frequently muddied by politics. That is why it is seldom that the voter puts the commentator on the hot seat of political power after an election. The world of politics is full of journalists and their ilk, with political ambition, who have gone crashing into the barriers during a political race.
This is not because the commentator is not qualified to rule. It is because the voter, and the reading and thinking public, expect the commentator or opinion giver to perform a clearly different task: informing the public and giving an informed opinion. The task of ruling in a modern democracy is left to the political leader.
The public expects the commentator to stick to the task of writing and discussing news and social events. Whether the public accepts the opinion of the commentator or not is the public’s own business, not the commentator’s. When the commentator comes out crying that his or her views are not being seriously considered by power, it smacks of narcissism.
When commentators write on political topics, the wise ones understand that great care is required. One misstep or better stated overstep, and they better watch it. For example, this political observer frequently writes a political story. And he has made his fair share of missteps in the past. However, he tries his best to leave subjectivity in the closet and pull out his objective cloak. This is crucial. And make no mistake about it: Like everyone else, he has a “back to watch.”
Furthermore, journalists and commentators are to report, assess and discuss the great events of the day — nothing more and nothing less. When the commentator attempts to go further than this, and to overtly influence public opinion, he or she frequently hits a wall. The commentator’s motives are easily discerned by an intelligent public. Yes, the step from opinion writer or speaker towards becoming an activist is a road full of potholes. It is not to be trod by the faint hearted!
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