News - No Place for Slang
When did it become acceptable to use slang instead of proper English when delivering the early morning or nightly news? Do they believe that the average American is not intelligent enough to notice - that they will think it is alright to do this? The first time I heard a newscaster use the term "my bad" on a national morning news show I knew I must have heard them wrong - I did not.
I have always believed that our newscasters are educated, intelligent people and would hope that they believe their audience is also educated and intelligent. I know that it does offend me when they assume I will not notice if the language and grammar are not correct. Do they truly think that Americans should accept slang as part of a national news program?
When informing the nation on the events in our country and the world, they should speak up to their audience and not down. Raise the bar and expect that people do understand, and that they will learn from the news when they do not. After all the news should educate and inform.
Our children are listening and learning from what is on television. We have an obligation to lead them and show that education is important, and that intelligence is the reward. They see enough bad examples on other programs - the news should be different. After all - you know Walter Cronkite would never have said "my bad".
I have always believed that our newscasters are educated, intelligent people and would hope that they believe their audience is also educated and intelligent. I know that it does offend me when they assume I will not notice if the language and grammar are not correct. Do they truly think that Americans should accept slang as part of a national news program?
When informing the nation on the events in our country and the world, they should speak up to their audience and not down. Raise the bar and expect that people do understand, and that they will learn from the news when they do not. After all the news should educate and inform.
Our children are listening and learning from what is on television. We have an obligation to lead them and show that education is important, and that intelligence is the reward. They see enough bad examples on other programs - the news should be different. After all - you know Walter Cronkite would never have said "my bad".
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