Here is my wish for the New Year: that the nation’s mainstream media, when covering the immigration issue, resolve in 2010 to take seriously their awesome responsibility and conduct themselves in accordance with the journalistic ethics and standards created by members of their profession.
Many newspapers post their commitment to fair and balanced journalism on their web sites, as do media watchdog groups like the Society of Professional Journalists. However, had the media been abiding by their own rules when reporting on this very volatile issue, there would have been no need for me, someone who spent 30 years as a Chicago print journalist, to write this column. The rules of good journalism that I grew up with are not in play today in terms of immigration coverage, and readers of what’s left of this country’s newspapers are the poorer for it.
The media are largely responsible for today’s immigration crisis. Why? Because they have ignored the other side of the story that includes holding responsible those politicians in Congress who pander to special interest groups and ignore the very immigration laws they created.
For too long reporters – with the blessing of their editors - have been churning out boilerplate sob stories about illegal aliens and their apologists who are given free rein to label as “racist,” “nativist,” “xenophobic” and “anti-immigrant” those who oppose their agenda. Journalists must stop insulting the intelligence of their audiences and begin using the most important tools necessary to be a good reporter: critical thinking and common sense.
For example, when politicians like Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) drone on about illegals being the people who “make our hotel beds, clean our toilets, watch our children,” etc., etc., how about asking Mr. Gutierrez, “Who did those jobs before but for higher wages?” When spokespersons for the nation’s various “immigrant rights” groups whine that our “broken immigration policy is tearing apart families,” the story must also include the fact that these families are being separated because one or more family members acted irresponsibly and entered this country illegally. And when reporters allow themselves to be used by open borders advocates to condemn enforcement measures because they are creating a “climate of fear” among “immigrants,” we should also see some acknowledgement that lawbreakers are supposed to be fearful.
It’s time to end the plethora of news stories that focus on the “plight” of those who disrespect our immigration laws and are “forced to live in the shadows” as they “search for a better life.” What’s needed is more coverage of those individuals most severely affected by mass immigration. We need reporters with heads on their shoulders willing to ask tough questions like, “Why, when 25 million Americans are unemployed, many of them our own working poor, is our federal government allowing 8 million illegal aliens to keep their jobs and continuing every month to issue 125,000 work permits to foreign workers?”
Organizations that support the rule of law and oppose amnesty have never demanded that the media agree with them. They ask only that those of us who advocate for a sustainable immigration policy that protects the long-term interests of our nation - and the right of the American people to determine who and how many people come to this country – be given the same amount of ink and air time so generously given to those whose agenda mocks our sovereignty.
Comments
I think most Americans want Dave Gorak to get his wish about honest reporting on the immigration issue. Most newspapers report on the problems of our schools, unemployment, lack of affordable housing, dwindling charity food supplies, traffic, etc., but they refuse to blame many our problems on overpopulation and lack of border enforcement. There is a huge disconnect.
VERY VERY TRUE NOT JUST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ISSUES? BUT ALSO ANYTHING POLITICALLY ON OBAMA?WHATEVER DONT MAKE WAVES OR INFORM THE PUBLIC OF TRUTH. AN AMERICAN>>>THINK ABOUT REALLY>>>>
For the last eight years i have looked at the immigration issue from all sides and as much as i have sympathy for others less fortunate the fact remains in the math and numbers that do not lie.
I have been called a racist,xenophobe,etc etc by the media and my own goverment.
And it is about our less fortunate in this country and our education system,enviroment and the very essence of America,The Rule of Law.
We are losing faith in the instituitions because they have turned their backs on us,why then should we follow the rules?
Do we really want that as a society? cause it will not last long if this keeps up.
These reporters also ignore that illegal aliens DISPLACE legal immigrants, through less demand for legal immigrants and also when illegal aliens receive amnesty. They also ignore that illegal immigration benefits 30 Latin Americans for every Asian, African, and European who benefit, illegal immigration discriminates based on race and national origin.
This means all these pro-illegal aliens writers and papers are anti-immigrant bigots and racists.
Dave , I share that wish with you. People don't get it. It isn't about being "mean spirited", racist, nativist, or whatever stupid label some American hating liberal puts on it. Illegal aliens DO NOT BELONG IN THIS NATION. Millions of Americans are wandering around without jobs. Despite this they still must pay taxes if a spouse works and they don't. In California we citizens pay through the nose to support Mexico's illegal populace. Oh, I know, there are illegal alien Orientals, Canadians, Indians, and what have you, but they pale in comparison to the number of Mexicans. The American taxypayer citizen owes Mexico, exactly NOTHING!! NOTHING!! It is an abomination , how the Democrat Party and some Republican Rino's ignore the American citizen to service the needs of PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO BUSINESS WHATEVER, BEING IN THIS NATION. IT IS AND OBOMINATION,(as in Obama and the Democrats) TO BE EXACT.
Every 1st-world country is being invaded by 3rd-world refuse. Why would our "leaders" allow this? Because the world is run by those with the money and they have decided it will all be a cesspit, the easier for them to rule.
Why do these brown supremacists hate Caucasians, yet they insist on coming to a White area and demanding "rights"?
Amen! Excellent post!
take a flamethrower to mexico
This is a good and very accurate column.
The Associated Press, NY Times, LA Times, Time magazine et al. have covered the issue of illegal immigration in a very unprofessional, unbalanced and biased manner.
Thankfully, we have talk radio and the Internet to let Americans know the truth about the mass legal and illegal immigration that has occurred since the passage of Kennedy's 1965 Immigration Act and the 1986 IRCA mass amnesty.
Get involved NOW to fight Charles Schumer's lawless amnesty anarchy. Join NumbersUSA, FAIR and other groups and make your voive heard.
Why do these nasty little gangbangers go around putting their gang grafitti on everything and then expect to be treated as "superior peoples"?
Blaming Mexico and the other countries that export their poor rather than provide for them is not the solution to this problem. Much of the blame for this crisis has to be placed at the feet of those in Congress who have betrayed their own constituents. The only answer is for more of us to make our voices heard, and the best way to do this is to join NumbersUSA at www.numbersusa.com and become a registered faxer. It is free and allows you to send FREE faxes from your computer. Calling names and pointing fingers without contacting your representatives and senators is a total waste of time.
Good article!! Keep carrying the torch. It is tough to get the left and "their" media to listen. We need voices like yours.
Lori:
Sorry for the late reply, but I'm first now catching up on all the changes Examiner has made to their site. Thank you for your support.
Dave Gorak
Dave Gorack, couldn't be more right. Blaming Mexico is an excercise in futility. Mexico is what it is. It has been corrupt for hundreds of years, and the founding fathers and our early ancestors even knew this. That is why any idea of invading and annexing Mexico as a whole, was an obomination to them. The quite well knew that the corruption of Mexico would destroy the United States. Congress and the U.S. Senate is to blame, as Dave has said. They are simply not looking out for the best interests of the American citizenry. Instead, people like Pelosi, Reid, Obama, the Republican Rino's etc. walk around as if they are some kind of Royalty like in old Europe. That is not what America was founded to be. It is sick and needs to end.
Bobby:
Sorry for the late reply, but I'm first now catching up on all the changes Examiner has made to their site. Thank you for your support.
Dave Gorak
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