If you want public commentary running during TV shows, you also need to have TV shows playing in-browser while you’re reading blogs and using Twitter. If there’s no place for salient discourse, there should be no place for uninterrupted opinion either. Fair is fair.

This would be brilliant, I think.

SexC: I have to admit, I don’t personally see the value in adding Twitter streams to TV shows. I didn’t appreciate having MTV videos overriden with viewer-generated commentary in the ’90s, and I don’t think a steady stream of “OMG Dona Brazil is do DUMBBB!!!” tweets would improve my Sunday morning experience.

But asking tough questions in the interest of providing Americans with the information they need to vote accurately? Yes, that should be a cornerstone of the media’s job. And unless we hold them accountable for squandering their access, we’re allowing them to get away with it.

Thompson’s argument is replete with logical flaws as you say. I actually watched Sunday political shows (Cdn and US) before I was 20 (in the early 1990′s before there was Twitter) and still do sometimes now.

I think the shows are failing for a number of content related reasons. As you point out, the inaccuracy of facts cited is off the charts – pundits from all sides go on these things and say anything.

The other problem is that the shows are so totally replete with over the top spin that people seem less willing to tolerate (I believe that increasing apathy re politics is a very real manifestation of this). Typically on a Sunday talk show “balance” is achieved by pairing a liberal with a conservative. However this format has not brought more balance only more bullshit, as over the last 15-20 yrs spin has gotten more outrageous in its claims and overall tone. This is real problem for networks with outdated business models because it adds a whole different dimension to the problem – one they are less able to control in some respects.

They don’t ask tough questions, are clearly partisan in their leaning and do not work to inform the citizenry of the truth. Then they wonder why they are not relevant?

Go figure.

This post was mentioned on Twitter by JustinKownacki: This Just In: Old Media Still Doesn’t “Get” New Media: http://bit.ly/8I4QMs...

So let’s see, it’s silly for us to use “new media” to talk about “old media”…but perfectly OK for them to use their “old media” platform to talk about “new media”??

We could use a NEW honest and trustworthy host (or the likes of Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert playing it mostly straight). Then we need quality guests. Any politician should be committing political suicide to deny an invite to this ‘new’ show.

That’s what I want to see this year. You would NUKE the competition in the ratings, advertising revenue, and win 10 billion karma points for raising the level of discourse in this country.

Will it ever happen? Hell fucking no, sadly.