Commentary: Piers Morgan, and Why I View Him as A Terrible Journalist.

I don't consider myself to be part of the sheeple that only follows mainstream news. When I say sheeple, I'm referring to the large group of Americans that blindly believes what the mainstream news media tells them, without questioning or doing any research of their own. However, I will admit that I do tune in to mainstream news networks from time to time. I did this more so several years ago, as I was unaware of how corporate interests control the mainstream media. As terrible as mainstream news has become, it's still one of the fastest ways to get news out.

One show that I particularly enjoyed watching on occasion was 'Larry King Live' on CNN. I particularly enjoyed watching Larry King's show during political related topics that involved political panels. Colorful and highly opinionated names like Jesse Ventura, Ron Paul, Ben Stein, and Michael Moore were frequent guests, who debated back and forth -- which made the show pretty entertaining in my eyes.

When Larry King announced he was retiring in 2010, I welcomed the idea of a new prime time television host stepping into his slot. When I found out that it would be British television personality, Piers Morgan, I didn't quite know what to think. Besides hearing his name mentioned a few times, I was fairly unfamiliar with him. Although I welcomed a newer personality on CNN, I've developed quite a dislike for this man's skills as a host and journalist as time has carried on. I'm going to lay out a few reasons why I don't care much for Piers Morgan's style of journalism.

'Piers Morgan Tonight' made it's television debut on January 17, 2011. The first time I watched an episode of his show was when he had former Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice as a guest. Initially, I found Morgan to be a fairly competent host, and even praised him for asking her what I deemed to be 'tough questions.'

Now a little over two years later, my view on Piers Morgan have changed quite a bit, and it's not for the reason that some people may think. It has absolutely nothing to do with his openly public views on gun control. It has to do with the fact that this man comes across as a bully on his show, and is often extremely rude to the guests whom differ with him in their views.

Piers Morgan often asks his guests questions, and then frequently cuts them off completely while they are in the process of answering. He comes across highly arrogant at times, and when a guest throws a question at him, he will state that it's his show. He often doesn't take his guests answers as they are, and almost attempts to force the answers that he wants out of them. Now I agree that a good journalist or TV personality should demand straight-forward answers, but there's a fine line between getting answers, and being a straight bully towards guests.

After the mass shootings in Aurora, Colorado and Sandy Hook, gun control has understandably been a hot button topic in America. Piers Morgan has taken the issue of gun control, and used it as a platform for expressing his own personal views on gun control in America. Morgan's openly public views on gun control have resulted in controversial interviews on more than a few occasions, and even a petition circulated to have him deported.

Since gun control in America is currently the talk of the town at the moment, Piers Morgan has had many guests on his show who believe that the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is at risk. Morgan has gotten into heated exchanges with the likes of Alex Jones, Larry Elder, Newt Gingrich, and Larry Pratt among others.

I have no problem with Piers Morgan or anyone else in favor of gun control laws being passed. Everyone has their right to their own opinion. However, Piers Morgan himself is using his program as a staging ground for his own personal views. Rather than having guests from both sides of the issue come on and debate each other, Piers Morgan himself is having heated confrontations with those who's views differ from his. It appears that anyone who isn't in favor of more stricter gun laws being implemented is automatically degraded by Piers Morgan. I personally don't find this to be the attribute of a good journalist.

Larry King wasn't the most amazing or articulate journalist himself, but he did allow his guests to speak freely most of the time. At least that's what I saw when I watched his show. King acted as more of a mediator on his show, whereas Piers Morgan comes across as judge and jury. I'm definitely not a professional, but in my opinion, Piers Morgan is terrible. He frequently gets owned by some of his guests who do not agree with him, and he constantly compares statistics from gun related crimes in the United Kingdom, and the United States.

I recognize that there are people who obviously like Piers Morgan, and the way he presents his program. That's totally fine with me. However, I personally don't care much for his style of journalism. My viewing of his show has dramatically decreased, and has become relegated to mainly just watching various clips of him on Youtube being made a fool out of by various guests. The only time I will tune into Piers Morgan is if he has a guest that I believe will challenge him. Jesse Ventura is one person that I don't mind watching on Piers Morgan show.

I'm in no way encouraging anyone to dislike Piers Morgan, I'm just giving my own personal view on him. You can have your own opinion Mr. Morgan, but you don't have to act like an arrogant and bitter journalist towards your guests sir.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piers_Morgan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piers_Morgan_Tonight