Question Concerning the MSM

I really think that a lot of these mainstream writers don't have the time or inclination to know a ton about the intricacies of Michigan's program.  Yes, it's their job...but they also have to write about other teams and sports, do TV appearances, etc.

I trust the knowledge of beat writers way more than columnists.

I think if you sat down with someone like Mike Valenti and had a beer you'd learn that he doesn't really believe everything he says on-air.  Argumentation isn't about what you believe, it's about what you can argue.  Some of these things they say are so up-the-wall it's ridiculous.  They say things that rile people up and they call in and then the call screeners only let idiots through who can get shouted down because it makes for entertaining radio.  You've made a good decision to stop listening to sports-talk radio.  I never listen to Valenti and Foster anymore because it's just depressing for me to hear talking heads actually say such idiotic things and know how many people believe them as if they know everything.

they have the best knowledge of the team

I doubt any of them have watched every game in full as I/we have this season (and every season).

They write to sensationalize rather than to inform (which is why they fail).

It's all about ad revenue and they (newspapers) are dying. Subjects that are dying become desperate and make choices that fall outside of the norm. I believe that this is why the MSM is becoming so frustratingly manic.

As for national television personalities; with all of the production time needed there is no way they are as informed as even the most middle of the road fans (catch a game here or there). I don't think it is possible for Kirk Herbstreit to watch as much football as the rabid fan does. It is a shame people take what comes out of their mouth as informative. It should be taken as opinion based entertainment. All of it.

It's writing to the lowest common denominator. Casual Michigan fans aren't hitting MGoBlog every day for their news. They're just relying on the local paper to filter important information for them.

However, with the blogosphere calling bullshit more and more on the MSM, I see these opinion pieces eventually fading away. I posted this prediction in the Sharp thread, but in case it gets deleted, I'll write it again:

Writers like Sharp will soon be relegated to the blogosphere where their merit is measured democratically and not through tenured entitlement. He'll have no editor to prop up his credibility and he'll make an effort to become more informed or his shrill screams will fade away, no one caring for the loss. You can throw Rosenberg, Henning, etc. in that group, too.

usually are very informative.  When there is $$$ involved you tend to do your homework.

know enough to form opinions (which can be very dangerous).  I don't think they know as much as the beat reporters who follow the teams very closely and write completely objective articles, i.e. game recaps, recruiting updates, etc.

That said, guys like Rosenberg and Sharp just spew subjective statements with little to no objective reporting, that's what brings in the hits and creates controversy.  It's not their job to write statements of fact, it's their job to bring in readers and hits.

If you're a mainstream news guy you have to make up for the deficits in your knowledge by just raising the volume/controversy level of what you are saying.  It's no different than this ridiculous display by Colin Cowherd bashing John Wall after a 29 point 13 assist game for being a "selfish" player. Like one of the above posters said, there is so much news coverage and it's a dying industry so columnists just want to get read, and they'll do it at the cost of any kind of journalistic integrity and accuracy.  It's a complete joke; there's no need to read anything other than mgoblog when it comes to Michigan football. I just do it to avoid work. 

STOP LISTENING TO THE MAIN STREAM MEDIA YOU FUCKING IDIOT.

are not reporters, journalists. They are editorialists.

Reporter: goes to the scene, describes the scene and activites, gets statements from witnesses. This is the standard AP reports on a game or Erin  Andrews on TV.

Journalist: investigates a story. Looks into facts, figures, interviews experts, witnesses pieces these all together for a detailed -fact backed - story. There are very few of these anymore in any media, the Lois Lane types.

Editorialists. I have an opinion - this is what I think. Most MSM articles are editorials with a few reports scattered in the paper. Drew Sharp's opinion is that RR needs to win one of the last games or he should be fired. This is his opinion - it may match the opinion of many on MLive - but it is his alone and is neither factual or researched - just an opinion. A Sharp, Wojo, Niyo, Green, Mayo are all editorialists.

Editorialists do not bother with facts or figures or stats. They form an opinion and look for half-facts to support this opinion.