FERGUSON MEDIA MAYHEM : Corporate "News" Mauled Covering Riots

"Chickens come home to roost" for sensationalist MSM hacks as another night of rioting looms for Ferguson  

THE 5TH ESTATE
By Robert S. Finnegan
11/26/2014

Last night, Americans were treated to more non-stop "mainstream media" soap opera coverage of the pre-planned riots in Ferguson and were most likely appalled to witness on-camera corporate hacks once again crossing the line, actually contributing to the anarchy on the streets.

CNN's Sara Sidner takes a rock to the head

They were probably not surprised to see broadcast "journalists" having their cameras smashed and reporters being rocked. One broadcast station is blaming, accurately, attention-seeking rioters drawn by media coverage. Other corporate outlets blame the police and National Guard for being slow to respond and then backing off.  

Both groups ignore the fact that their own "reporters" threw gas on the Ferguson fire in pursuit of the ratings major broadcast media has become addicted to, and what has recently become deadly self-promotion in the ":mainstream media."

Cable news stations this morning devolved into excuse-fests where morning show panels vied with each other to see who could come up with the best obfuscation and self-serving absolution for their partial responsibility in provoking the violence that has ensued on the streets of Ferguson.

For once, both sides are to a degree correct.  A good number of rioters are criminal opportunists from outside Ferguson, travelling to the city with the express intent of engaging in criminal activity.

Rioter with crossbow

Other individuals are mainly losers intent on becoming instant media rock stars - depending on the degree of destruction they are willing to commit to attract the attention of the cameras.

And for the first time in a long time, the rioters turned on the very media that was giving them the coverage they sought.

In crossing the very definitive line between objective, balanced coverage and sensationalist advocacy the "mainstream media" has abandoned the neutrality of responsible journalism and opened itself up to the retaliation that can be expected for taking a stated position of one side or the other.

Tonight could turn out to be a replay of last night, or worse in Ferguson.  It will remain to be seen if the "mainstream media" has learned any lessons.

Robert S. Finnegan is a retired investigative journalist and Marine Corps NCO.  He resides in Jakarta, Indonesia with his spouse photographer Imas-Kurniawati-Finnegan.

Posted in: "Mainstream Media" Lies,1st Amendment,2d Amendment,American Demise,Dying America,Fraud MSM "Journalists",Martial Law,Obama Criminal Regime