The Internationalist Magazine: Voices of Reason in the 21st Century

The last five years have exposed a fundamental weakness in media coverage of world affairs that has left Americans less informed about the world around them and without the analytical tools needed to solve our world’s problems. Cable and network news anchors offer softball questions to leaders of both parties on important foreign affairs issues, such as how to fight the war on terror, how to deal with Iran and North Korea, and how to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian issue, among others. As well, while the proliferation of cable news networks in the 1990s promised more comprehensive coverage for international affairs, it has only proven to be a net cast widely for celebrity news and bellowing political analysts. News shows like “Hardball with Chris Matthews” and reality shows like “American Idol” have contributed to an increasing ignorance of the realities of our world today by offering an outlet to avoid difficult choices at home and abroad.

Along with the mediocrity of American media has developed the inability of politicians, Democratic or Republicans, to get anything done in an increasingly partisan atmosphere in Washington, D.C. The next generation of leaders and opinion makers will be left not only to deal with the problems of global insecurity but domestic problems like Social Security and health care. It is incumbent upon the current generation of college students to become more informed not only about the theory of government or the history of politics, but the tools which can bring change to their communities and to the world. After all, the United States makes the majority of decisions economically and diplomatically for a great mass of people who have no voice. This type of responsibility requires reasoned voices and active minds.