Is it news or entertainment?

I record two network news shows each night, CBS and NBC. My wife likes NBC; I prefer CBS so we record both. I haven’t seen enough of ABC or Fox to comment.

When I say that I like CBS, I’m not saying a lot. I actually don’t even call them network news shows. I call them entertainment shows, wrapped with a little news sprinkled with drug ads, and fluffy end pieces like eating a sweet dessert after a meal. The era of a network news show actually delivering the news appears to be over. They are now entertainment.

Even the interviews with senior politicians are so weak and deferential that they are hollow. When I see President Obama interviewed, I wonder how long it takes the “news” person to wash the boot polish off of their tongue. I suspect a long time.

So why is the news not, and why do politicians get to play the softest of softball? Money and access.

The news entertainment shows are dominated by drug ads. Drug ads bring in big money. So news about drugs is almost always presented in the best possible light, and the public is almost always encouraged to take their meds. and get their shots.

I believe that the drug companies have such sway that the “news” shows frequently have medical segments, especially NBC, favorable to the drug business. The “news” shows don’t want to say anything bad about the industry that pays their bills.

I think that the unspoken truth about how our government gets a pass on almost anything it does is access. If you don’t play ball, you’ll never get access to senior politicians again. Even the presidential press conferences are an exercise in playing nice.

I suspect that if President Obama held a press conference and said that the moon was made of cheese, the reporters would only ask what type and would it solve the food crises if we can get spaceships to mine cheese and bring it back.

If they ask any awkward questions, or follow up on a ridiculous statement a reporter can become persona non grata. In other words, not welcome.

Being not welcome can cost a reporter his or her job. That’s why they play nice. That why our political news coverage is weak. Very weak.