A Petition for Media Reform: A Plea for Responsible Messaging Heading into the 2020 Election (and Beyond)

The news media, like anyone putting their words into the public sphere these days, have a responsibility that they have neglected. This is one of messaging for the public good. There is covering the news for clicks, likes, and advertisers; and there is covering the news for the education, care, and safety of the public. Everyone likes to point fingers at one side or another, but this is a widespread problem. In an era where the idea of an objective “truth” is being eroded daily, the “news” should be a bastion of facts and objectivity for the general public, sadly these are slipping away daily the more and more partisan our “news” sources become. We the undersigned, call on all corporate powers with news and media branches to cross dividing lines. For the sake of our country, we call on you to put aside your need for endless growth and power and make what would be a negligible sacrifice for the betterment of millions in this country we all profess to love.

Heading into the 2020 election, we petitioners call on all news media to give factual messaging on all issues, when there is misinformation on any side, they should call it out. We call on them to measure the morality of their messaging and to always put the American public above profits. During this important time, we ask you to fill your commercial spaces with public service announcements for the betterment and education of the public. When you have pundits and news anchors discussing the upcoming election cycle, rather than adding to a chaotic and destructive narrative, please take a moment and pause. Instead, send out messages of patience, sacrifice, and unity

Remember and be aware that a narrative can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, especially when it is broadcast to millions of people 24/7/365. As such, call out the hate, call out the misinformation, both are everywhere, and stop it in its tracks, do not contribute to it or give it air-time unless it is used to educate the public otherwise. Listen to how you are messaging. Are you calling what could be practical, safe policies “draconian,” “unrealistic,” or “chaotic” because it would hurt your bottom-line to do otherwise when, in truth, these public policies on masking or mail-in voting could save lives and offer people a safe path to vote? Are you contributing to the narrative of unrest or providing narratives of unity? Is there a better way we could be keeping our viewers or followers informed?

Once voting starts and the ballots begin to be counted it is increasingly likely it will be a significant period of time before we get the final results. In the case of the inevitable delay of election result, in order to prevent a blue or red “mirage” (the false naming of a winner before all the ballots are counted), and in an attempt to unify our country rather than divide it, we call on you to refuse to broadcast any early results. We petition that the major news sources and social media conglomerates make a pact to only release the results once they are verified in each state. This type of responsible reporting can make a difference.

We as individuals have the “purchasing” power. Though the ideals of truth and fact are being eroded, they do not have to disappear.  Therefore, we petitioners will refuse to consume media that does not conform to this higher imperative. We pledge not to share false misinformation, spread hate, or support any sources that do. If those in positions of power are forced to acknowledge that the words, images, and stories they put out into the world are expected to conform to a higher standard by individuals refusing to accept what has become the norm, we might be able to slow further division and erosions of truth. We the people, from all swaths of this amazingly complex and varied land will hold ourselves and others to a higher standard, one that places love and compassion over profit and power.