Flip-flop fatigue, Media fragmentation, and 2012 Election
By Uchenna Ekwo
The 2012 presidential elections have
taken a toll on the credibility of the media as arbiters in the
democratic process.
Voters may have become weary of lack of principle or flip-flop of
candidates on different positions, but journalists should begin to use
appropriate words to describe the positions of politicians on different
issues.
The use of such euphemism as flip-flop to describe a politician
who lies or changes like chameleon should change. If a politician is
caught lying, he should be told in unmistakable terms. Some may argue
that it is indelicate to accuse a president or presidential candidate of
telling lies.
At the same time, such individuals who attain such
positions should be honorable enough to always tell the truth.
In a fragmented mediascape, if journalists in traditional media
organizations are unable to call out politicians’ mendacity, citizens
will definitely use the booming and buzzing social media to call
attention to questionable behavior of politicians.
Today, citizens not
only have the votes but also voices in the ongoing debate about the
future of America. The twitter traffic that heralds the presidential
debates is a proof of heightened political participation of citizens in
the democratic process.
The news media should live up to its professional responsibilities –
shine a spotlight on truth and falsehood by politicians who aspire to
govern. Politicians’ lack of credibility should not be allowed to infect
the media because a credible media system is a desideratum for a
healthy democracy.
