The TV news beauty contests

Journalism? Facts? Experience? Who needs them when you’ve got cute? What does it matter that the nation is drowning in a sea of ignorance, misinformation and oversimplification? Who cares if our clever operators are able to manipulate and distort issues with little chance of being exposed on yuck-it-up shows at 11 p.m. or 10 o’clock, depending on your time zone?

Forget about that. Television’s owners, managers and cursed consultants couldn’t care less about informing the public. The name of the game is ratings delivered by gimmicks and anchors who are 8-by-10 glossies.

Obviously, this is not always the case. There are a small few news hosts out there who are not raving beauties. But it really, really helps. In fairness, it must also be noted that one can have both looks and smarts. But the truth is the smarts don’t matter. Miss America wants to be an anchor because she knows full well that in today’s near-vacuum, she can find a place. She’s qualified enough.

The politicians know exactly how to game this system. Presidents have learned that real reporters are nothing but trouble, what with their knowledge and pesky follow-ups. So each administration comes up with ways to avoid them and deal with puffballs instead. Even the seemingly tough ones are really setups. Witness President Obama finessing his YouTube questioners.

Those who still argue that a democracy needs a truly informed electorate are crying in the wilderness. But wait, the emptiness is being filled with music. “Here she comes, Miss Amerrrrrrica.”

Visit Mr. Franken’s website at www.bobfranken.tv.