Communication
— George Hyde
For several weeks now – since Theresa asked me if I’d write a “think piece” about the polarization of American philosophies in the recent years – I’ve agonized over how to start an essay aimed at broadening your media consumption in a way that will entice OLLI members to keep reading and not simply dismiss it as bushwa while scurrying back into their comfortable thought silos.
You are, after all, a highly-educated and generally-discerning group…not necessarily a perfect microcosm of the mass audiences I spent most of my media career working to attract…and you represent a perpetuating force for ideas that you’ve honed and reinforced for six or so decades by now.
Yet the other day, a new media personality managed to capture my thinking in a new way in a cogent phrase: “We need,” he said, “communication that is capable of listening.” (I think he’s onto something!)
For years, I’ve branded OLLI as “the last bastion of civil discourse” and I believe we have a responsibility to conduct ourselves so the walls of that bastion do not crumble on our watch.
In today’s America (indeed in today’s world), we live in a maelstrom of media spewing ideas at ever-narrower target constituencies in hopes of amassing a sufficient number of listeners/viewers/streamers to attract the advertising dollars they need to survive. Because ultimately, that’s what determines what you read, hear, or see: the ability to attract critical mass of audience for delivery to advertisers eager to market their products and services. Period. Full stop. It’s commerce, not philosophy, that’s steering the ship.
Ted Turner’s legacy – CNN – is identified as a bastion of expression of liberal thinking today. But Turner built his media empire on one unaffiliated TV station in Atlanta meeting the needs of the under-served fans of professional wrestling, old (mostly-forgotten) movies, and die-hard baseball fans; even “breaking news,” that over-used hook that still gets your attention, came later.
Simply put, Rupert Murdoch also seized a niche, finding an under-served and economically-attractive audience segment, and super-serving it while using a catchy term (“fair and balanced”) to differentiate itself from the historical cable news leader (CNN). Today, Fox News is the clear audience leader among cable news networks, according to Nielsen ratings.
I have an enormous respect for The New York Times. I have read the Times nearly every day since 1961, when my high school made it required reading, as did the university I later attended. It’s been said that each day’s Times contains more information than could have been accumulated by a medieval person during his or her entire life. More than any other news entity I rely on the Times as “the newspaper of record.” But I don’t trust everything I read in the Times to be the infallible truth, nor what I might read in The Wall Street Journal or the Tampa Bay Times, nor what I might see on CNN or Fox News or NBC or C-SPAN.
That may sound cynical. I’d prefer to call it “being media-aware.”
If you’ve taken any of my OLLI courses, you may recall seeing the Media Bias Chart which burst on the scene about seven years ago and used an axis of reliability/unreliability and an axis of conservativism/liberalism to place major media on an easily-interpreted matrix. (The most recent edition of that chart is in the gallery above, and updates can be found at this website: www.AdFontesMedia.com.) Ad Fontes (Latin for “to the source”) was founded in 2018 “to combat political polarization and media bias” and the chart was introduced to me at an OLLI presentation by a representative of the Poynter Institute, the “media training” entity associated with the St. Petersburg Times.
Once you locate the chart (and perhaps enlarge it to a more readable size, I would urge you to use it to evaluate the media you rely on most, and to understand the nature of biases which may be innate to those sources of information.
If you find your news sources tightly-gathered in one section of the chart, I encourage you to sample information from media classified elsewhere (even diagonally opposite, if you’re adventurous)! At least you’ll know what others may be thinking; you will, in essence, be listening. Ideally, this will broaden your perspectives about ideas which happen to emanate from another philosophical silo. And that’s the start of true communication.
In a blatant violation of the “AP Stylebook” that sits next to me at my desk, I haven’t told you the source of the quotation that got me started on this essay. It turns out that it’s from the first press gathering held by Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago native better known today as Pope Leo XIV. As I said above, I think he’s onto something, and I hope you’re listening!
George Hyde is a lifelong broadcaster who served as the Executive VicePresident of the Radio Advertising Bureau, Vice-Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, and Manager of the largest Spanish-language Radio stations in the U.S. during his fifty-year business career. He also served on the Advisory Boards of both the Associated Press and United Press International. George is a veteran OLLI-USF Instructor for courses dealing with the Media, Politics, and Modern Culture, and is a Past OLLI Advisory Board Chairman. He created OLLI’s “Fake News” course to help our members increase their media literacy. A native of Providence, Rhode Island, George is a graduate of Brown University and holds an MBA from York College of Pennsylvania.
The Role of Political Cartoonists in American Journalism
— OLLIvia
Political cartoonists have long played a crucial role in American journalism, using satire and visual storytelling to critique government policies, social issues, and public figures. Their work distills complex political narratives into powerful images that resonate with audiences, often influencing public opinion and sparking debate. Among the most influential political cartoonists in American history are Herb Block, Bill Mauldin, and Art Henrikson, each of whom contributed significantly to the field through their unique styles and perspectives.
Herb Block: The Voice of Accountability
Herbert Lawrence Block, known as Herblock, was one of the most renowned editorial cartoonists in American history. His career spanned over half a century, during which he used his art to hold politicians accountable and expose corruption. Block’s cartoons were particularly influential during the Watergate scandal, where his sharp critiques of President Nixon’s administration contributed to the national conversation about government ethics. His work was characterized by bold symbolism and incisive commentary, making him a household name in American journalism. Block’s ability to distill political complexities into single, striking images earned him multiple Pulitzer Prizes and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Bill Mauldin: The Soldier’s Perspective
Bill Mauldin gained prominence during World War II with his cartoons depicting the struggles of American infantrymen. His characters, Willie and Joe, represented the weary, battle-hardened soldiers who endured the harsh realities of war. Mauldin’s cartoons resonated deeply with servicemen and civilians alike, offering a candid portrayal of military life. After the war, he transitioned into political cartooning, using his platform to advocate for civil liberties and critique government policies. His work was often controversial, but it remained a powerful force in American journalism, earning him two Pulitzer Prizes. Mauldin’s ability to humanize political issues through relatable characters set him apart as a master of visual storytelling.
Art Henrikson: The Local Voice
While Herb Block and Bill Mauldin were nationally recognized, Art Henrikson made his mark as a regional editorial cartoonist. Henrikson’s work appeared in numerous Illinois newspapers, where he provided commentary on local and national political issues. His cartoons often tackled government inefficiencies, social justice concerns, and political scandals, making him a respected voice in his community. Henrikson’s ability to blend humor with sharp political critique allowed him to engage audiences in meaningful discussions about governance and policy. His contributions to American journalism highlight the importance of regional cartoonists in shaping public discourse.
Conclusion
Political cartoonists serve as watchdogs of democracy, using their art to challenge authority, expose corruption, and engage the public in political discourse. Herb Block, Bill Mauldin, and Art Henrikson exemplify the power of editorial cartoons in shaping American journalism. Through their distinct styles and perspectives, they influenced public opinion, held leaders accountable, and provided a visual record of historical events. Their legacy underscores the enduring impact of political cartooning in a free press, reminding us that sometimes, a single image can speak louder than words.
OLLIvia is one of OLLI Connects’ Artificial Intelligence Commentators. Her more-than-encyclopedic knowledge and her clear, concise writing style have made her a valued member of our editorial staff.
We had intended to make her and her counterpart, OLLIver, contributors to our AI and Technology issue last month, but our human contributors filled it to the brim and a bit beyond. Since we wanted to put Art Henrikson, our posthumous editorial page cartoonist in context, she agreed to profile two other well-known political cartoonists of the 20th Century.
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