News notes

Talk about mixed emotions…

My mind is reeling with thoughts as I think about the six-part series written by NY Times reporter David Rohde about his capture by the Taliban, seven months in captivity and harrowing escape.

Some of the ideas fighting to get through my brain to my fingers:

• Pride in being part of the same fraternity of journalists. I’ve never done anything as important or dangerous or exciting as trying to interview a Taliban leader – and getting captured in the process. But as a lifelong journalist, my chest was swelling with pride as I read Rohde’s account. He was trying to do what all good journalists do – get the other side of the story. And he was willing to risk his life to talk to that one last source needed to tell a complete story.
• Fear and confusion – again – about what the U.S. is doing in Afghanistan. One of the themes that came through Rohde’s story was the amazingly different world view held by the young Taliban fighters who held him captive. Whether it’s caused by deep religious fervor or just a life of brainwashing, they really believe the best way to get to heaven is to die fighting the evil U.S. invaders. How do you win a war against that?
• Admiration for a wonderful piece of journalism. Even if you look past the gripping subject matter,  Rohde’s writing is a classic mix of clear description and elegant prose.  It pulls you effortlessly through the pages. Even though it’s long, at no point do you contemplate stopping reading. He doesn’t give in to the temptation to over-dramatize – the story-telling is calm and understated. Yet there are great lines – metaphors that bring his bleak situation into sharp focus.
• Concern that I’m not doing enough. As I read about a fellow journalist risking his life to tell important stories that the world needs to hear, I can’t help but ask, “What am I doing to help.” I’ve left a real job in the world of journalism to teach – hoping that I can make a difference by training the journalists of tomorrow. But is that enough?NY Times reporter To paraphrase Gandhi, am I doing enough to find my own Afghanistan?

Okay, that’s a sample. I read Rohde’s piece – published in the Times a couple weeks ago – for the first time yesterday. Then I heard him being interviewed on the radio today, giving a voice to the words. 

I highly recommend the series. Read it, then share your thoughts.

 These are the best of times for media coverage of climate change, but they still may fall short of “good enough.”

The environment in general and global warming in particular have always suffered from lack of media attention.

Media in America – both print and broadcast – tend to follow their readers’ and viewers interests. The interests of readers and viewers tend to follow media attention – long called the “agenda-setting” function of the media.

It’s like a dog chasing it’s tail.

Through most of the last half-century, environmentalists have  been marginalized by moderates and conservatives as a movement of the left. Their issues gained widespread popularity – just about everyone was in favor of clean air and water, preserving wilderness and protecting scenic rivers – but  the movement was labled as fringe by the majority of Americans.

As a result, media coverage remained spotty, rising and falling as the dog’s tail sped up or slowed down.

All that is changing with the climate. Global warming isn’t about snail darters and spotted owls – it’s about survival of the planet.

And with the higher stakes comes a higher profile. For the first time in my 35-year career in the media, “green” is a popular color.

Most moderates long ago turned the corner, accepting the science of man-caused global warming. Even most conservatives are looking for a way to recognize what they adamantly rejected just a few years ago.

But is it enough to turn the circling dog into a clear recognition that environmental/energy issues should be at the forefront of the public agenda?

Probably not. Health care reform, the state of the economy and whether Fox News is a savior or evil continue to dominate media in America.

Pushing climate change to the top of the media ladder – breaking through the clutter of issues in the way – probably requires a cataclysmic event.

And by the time climate change creates that kind of commotion, it probably will be too late to do much about it.

Today is Blog Action Day, when bloggers around the world are discussing climate change and what can be done to change the tide (no pun intended).

Maybe this kind of bottom-up “new media” involvement can make a difference. The Internet has altered the balance of power in the world, as traditional media suffer and a free-for-all ensues to figure out who fills the void.

Is it a big enough tidal wave to affect world opinion on climate change? Only time will tell.