A year after leaving the presidency, Theodore Roosevelt gave a speech, “Citizenship in a Republic” to a group in Europe. Many call that talk “The Man in the Arena” speech.
Roosevelt touched on several topics, but in this episode I want to focus on his view of the press and, specifically, journalists.
Remember, this was before radio, TV, the internet, and social media.
“The power of the journalist is great, but he is entitled neither to respect nor admiration because of that power unless it is used aright. He can do, and often does, great good. He can do, and he often does, infinite mischief.
All journalists, all writers, for the very reason that they appreciate the vast possibilities of their profession, should bear testimony against those who deeply discredit it.
Offenses against taste and morals, which are bad enough in a private citizen, are infinitely worse if made into instruments for debauching the community through a newspaper. Mendacity, slander, sensationalism, inanity, vapid triviality, all are potent factors for the debauchery of the public mind and conscience.
The excuse advanced for vicious writing, that the public demands it and that the demand must be supplied, can no more be admitted than if it were advanced by purveyors of food who sell poisonous adulterations.”
Theodore Roosevelt speech at the Sorbonne, May 5, 1910
You can read the entire speech at the Theodore Roosevelt Center.
A couple of notes on some of the terms that are no longer in common use. The definitions are provided by ChatGPT.
Consider Roosevelt’s use of those words and see if you feel they describe the state of journalism today.
Mendacity - Mendacity is the quality of being untruthful or dishonest. It refers to a tendency to lie, deceive, or be insincere. The term is often used to describe behavior that involves deception or a lack of honesty in communication. Mendacity can be applied to individuals, statements, or situations where truthfulness is absent or compromised.
Slander - Slander is a form of defamation, which involves making false and damaging statements about someone to a third party. Unlike libel, which refers to written defamation, slander specifically refers to spoken defamation. This means that if someone verbally communicates untrue statements that harm another person's reputation, they are committing slander. The key elements of slander include the statement being false, communicated to someone other than the person being defamed, and causing harm to the reputation or standing of the person it's about. Legal consequences for slander can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the severity of the harm caused.
Sensationalism - Sensationalism is a method of presenting information, often in the media, that involves the use of shocking, provocative, or exaggerated elements to attract attention, evoke strong emotions, or increase viewership or readership. This approach often prioritizes sensational aspects over factual accuracy or depth of analysis. Sensationalism typically focuses on lurid details, scandals, or alarming events, and may involve overhyping or distorting the truth to make a story more appealing or dramatic. The goal is usually to engage the audience in a way that boosts ratings or circulation, even at the cost of quality or integrity in reporting. This can lead to a distorted public perception of events or issues, as sensationalist media tends to emphasize entertainment value over informative content.
Inanity - Inanity refers to a lack of sense, meaning, or substance. It describes something that is utterly foolish, pointless, or empty of content. This term can be applied to actions, speech, or written text that are devoid of intelligence or serious thought. Inanity implies triviality and often suggests an absence of value or usefulness. It's typically used to criticize something that is seen as so lacking in meaningful content that it's either laughable or not worth serious consideration.
Vapid triviality - "Vapid triviality" combines two concepts:
Vapid: This term describes something that is lacking in liveliness, zest, or interest. Vapid things are insipid and dull, offering no stimulating or challenging qualities.
Triviality: This refers to the quality of being trivial or of little importance or value. Trivial matters are insignificant and superficial, often concerning minor or everyday details.
When combined, "vapid triviality" refers to something that is both exceedingly dull and of little to no importance. It suggests a level of banality and emptiness, where the subject in question offers neither intellectual stimulation nor any significant value or relevance. This term is often used in a critical sense, to describe conversations, events, or media content that are seen as mind-numbingly dull and inconsequential.
ROOSEVELT “Vicious Writing”