~Rupert Murdoch & the Power Politicians Give Him~

On my way to the mountains this weekend, I heard an NPR Weekend Edition piece about Rupert Murdoch’s influence in the UK and the closing of News of the World (NOW), the 168-year-old weekly newspaper that published its last edition yesterday.

What’s troubling (although not surprising) is how quickly politicians ran away from Murdoch after wanting to curry favor for so long. The piece notes that the past five prime ministers courted Murdoch to get elected and to stay in office.

They all want his blessing when it suits their own needs. But when it doesn’t, they move away quickly and chastise and vilify as they move away. 

What hypocrites. I blame the politicians more than Murdoch. At least his is a constant vision – improve the bottom line and make money. He and James Murdoch saw (quite accurately) NOW had self-destructed and, as a result, would tarnish the Murdoch brand and affect their ability to generate revenue.

The best move? Shut it down since it has lost all credibility … if such a tabloid has such credibility.

What’s also disturbing is that politicians also saw a need to curry favor in order to avoid becoming targets for the next scandal.  By doing so they give Murdoch the power and influence … they shouldn’t.  

UK Prime Minister David Cameron notes that politicians put themselves in a relationship that “became too close, too cozy. We were all in this world of wanting the support of newspaper groups and, yes, even broadcasting organizations.”

Even though they moved away quickly, any intelligent voter can see that they were more than cozy for a time. Public figures are better off focusing their energies on serving the good of their constituents rather than their own self-interests. Focus more on what you stand for rather than what others think or who you must cozy up to. 

Have clear ideas and visions. Foster a willingness to debate and discuss such ideas in an intelligent manner.  Be true to yourself and such favor is unnecessary. That way, they stop giving power and influence to people and organizations that don’t deserve it.

Happy to hear what you think. Do we lack leaders who can think for themselves? How do we encourage leaders to be true to themselves and not look to curry favor? Is there room for this in the current political climate where making extreme declarations is chosen over encouraging dialog?

Stop yelling and people will listen.

I posted this Slate piece on Facebook  outlining how a guy was thrust into the conservative-media spotlight quite unexpectedly after posting footage on YouTube of an Al Gore speech. Here was my thought at the time:

Brian Merchant's article/experience shows that:  1) the Internet is making us all nuts. 2) Cowards/haters hide behind computer screens.  3) The facts don't ever have to get in the way. In fact the more technology the faster the truth fades away.

We can be such machines and make such intractable decisions without looking at and thinking about the facts. It can be much easier for people to tell people how they MUST see them. And if you question them, well you’re not with us. You're with the terrorists.

It pains me to see people jumping to a thoughtless conclusion before a conversation has taken place. Discussion and reflection on issues seems to be "so 1990s." In 2011, it’s all about who can say the most inflammatory statement first and the loudest... and get it up on YouTube/Twitter/FB.

But then I see other things; Facebook/Flickr photos of places that I’ve never been and want to go. Or people’s children and happy dogs swimming in inner tubes. Or thoughtful discussions about what how to help patients communicate better with their doctors.

And then hope re-appears. My point? Use social tools to draw people out and ask them what they think rather then telling them what they should think.

People can choose to give people the benefit of the doubt. They can make sure they've heard others before they speak and try to be heard. It’s not hard; it just starts from a place of common decency and respect for your fellow human being.

I'm just saying.