Volconvo is a debate forum for the discussion of political, religious, and news-based topics.

thirdeyeblindis · Mar 26, 2006, 09:40 pm

Am I alone in thinking the media works against the best interests of the american public. I mean they plant false images of reality in peoples head and they are mostly out to make a profit. What do all of you think?

Osborn F Enready · Mar 27, 2006, 05:15 am

I would agree overall.

Many journalists want to do good stories, good news (as in like EXPOSING news) but they are directed from the top, their advertisers agendas, their editors and that leaves very little room for most to do GOOD work, other than towing the company line.

Try googling "media ecology" and read some of the works exposing this "takeover" of American media since the creation of modern media.

Most news has become "propaganda" and little else. What did we expect when we allowed accountability to take a back seat to ratings?

It's the people fault, and it still is. The people need to DEMAND better, and at the same time, turn off the tv sets, stop buying the papers, and do their reading on the internet for free, starving the advertising machine of dollars.

Milton Bradley · Mar 27, 2006, 07:22 am

Quote:

Quote by: thirdeyeblindis

Am I alone in thinking the media works against the best interests of the american public. I mean they plant false images of reality in peoples head and they are mostly out to make a profit. What do all of you think?

Obviously somebody is not doing a lot of reading outside the threads they create.

Is there a single shred of good news to found anywhere on this site?

thirdeyeblindis · Mar 27, 2006, 07:01 pm

Ok well then I'll look at the other side of this case as well. At least the news is getting out there. People will put the news into their own personal perspective whiether they are watching CNN or Fox news channel. Without the media, things such as the Amber Alert would not be able to be used and we would have never uncovered government scandals such as watergate.

Rainbow · Mar 27, 2006, 11:15 pm

Quote:

Quote by: thirdeyeblindis

Am I alone in thinking the media works against the best interests of the american public. I mean they plant false images of reality in peoples head and they are mostly out to make a profit. What do all of you think?

Mass-media has become an engine to magnetize potential readers, listeners, ect. in order to make profits. It does not apply to all the sources, though.

**Jack** · Mar 27, 2006, 11:36 pm

I would rather have biased news than no news at all. I'm perfectly free to investigate stories further by reading many different sources and applying my own intelligence and common sense. Ignorance is not just not knowing, it can stem from believing everything you read and taking it as the truth as well.

Scribbler1 · Mar 27, 2006, 11:50 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Milton Bradley

Is there a single shred of good news to found anywhere on this site?

I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to Geico.

Scribbler1 · Mar 27, 2006, 11:58 pm

Quote:

Quote by: thirdeyeblindis

Ok well then I'll look at the other side of this case as well. At least the news is getting out there. People will put the news into their own personal perspective whiether they are watching CNN or Fox news channel. Without the media, things such as the Amber Alert would not be able to be used and we would have never uncovered government scandals such as watergate.

There is nothing wrong with the news, the problem is with the reader (viewer?). It's out there. You just need to know where to look and keep the bullshit filter on at all times. FOX News is a good example. They deliver good solid content almost all the time, when they are reporting NEWS. Facts are facts and they all report the facts. Where the buyer must beware is when (as FOX does so skillfully) the intersperse news with commentary and opinion. It's sneaky by design but you can see past if if you work at it (unfortunately most people can't be bothered to do that). I see this a lot on Sunday. They report a news story and then seamlessly introduce "experts" to explain it all to us. THAT'S where the opinion comes in and Fox does this all the time. The trick is to know where the facts stop and where the "expert opinion" begins.
It's really not that tough.

Arawn-ap-Hywel · Mar 28, 2006, 01:54 pm

Can only agree with the majority of responses.

The media whilst the lowest scum on earth do a valuable job in ensuring the voice of "Free Speech" is loud and in the face of our elected officials; and those in other countries with fewer such outlets.

thatoneguy00 · Mar 28, 2006, 02:01 pm

Well you also have your politically oriented news stations. cunn and fox are like this. I lov efox, but they can do one story and cnn can cover the same one and as was said earlier the experts throw their opinion at ya, and oyu can tell its politically biased, but if your not paying attention they make it sound like its can't be any closer to the truth

**Jack** · Mar 28, 2006, 06:56 pm

Quote:

Just the truth would be nice for a change

Since "truth" is subjective and hardly the business of the media, I'd opt for "just the facts". That would be nice.

Quote:

The media whilst the lowest scum on earth do a valuable job in ensuring the voice of "Free Speech" is loud and in the face of our elected officials

I'd say, the media do(es) a valuable job in ensuring the voice of "Free Speech" is loud and in the face of our elected officials, the lowest scum on earth. Now I can concur. :)

thirdeyeblindis · Mar 28, 2006, 07:27 pm

Ok but the entertainment industry is a part of the media as well, and the negative influences it has on not only today's youth but those who dont understand reality from fiction can not be helping the american public. Just because they put warning labels on them doesnt mean that the youth just cant get their hands on the goods just as easily.

Scribbler1 · Mar 28, 2006, 10:14 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Arawn-ap-Hywel

Can only agree with the majority of responses.

The media whilst the lowest scum on earth do a valuable job in ensuring the voice of "Free Speech" is loud and in the face of our elected officials; and those in other countries with fewer such outlets.

How is it the news media are the lowest of scum yet I'd wager almost everything you know comes FROM that media? I don't think I'd WANT to know anything that came from such a poor source, I know I wouldn't even QUOTE them, that's for sure.

Maybe the news media isn't as scummy as you think?

Milton Bradley · Mar 29, 2006, 09:28 am

Quote:

Quote by: Scribbler1

I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to Geico.

Did you just get paid for that little station break?

Do I get paid for quoting it now as well?

[sarcasm] See, this is evidence that the marketing division han infiltrated you psyche dude.[/sarcasm]

Scribbler1 · Mar 29, 2006, 10:19 am

Jeez. Making a little joke is gettin' tougher all the time. That's what you get for not being addicted to TV, Morgan.

Osborn F Enready · Mar 29, 2006, 10:49 am

I did laugh when I read it, which made it worth it Scribbler.

I do agree with Milton too though. How sad is it when our minds trap in "sales slogans" just at hearing a couple bars of music from one of our least favority commercials.

I would be bumming these days without a remote and a mute button. (can't afford DVR)

Scribbler1 · Mar 29, 2006, 11:30 am

Quote:

Quote by: Osborn F Enready

I did laugh when I read it, which made it worth it Scribbler.

I do agree with Milton too though. How sad is it when our minds trap in "sales slogans" just at hearing a couple bars of music from one of our least favority commercials.

I would be bumming these days without a remote and a mute button. (can't afford DVR)

Another TV addict accounted for. This could be the next political party in the news.

What it is, is that we respond to certain stimuli and the advertisers know this and hire people who know which of our buttons to push. I don't even HAVE Geico insurance and I know the commercials. Humor sells better than anything else I suppose. I also remember 60's VW and Alka Seltzer commercials too.

Of course this ties in with a pet theory I have had for at least 20 years. Since ads like Geico sell so well it makes good sense that the Congress and the White House would have a small army of advertising people on the payroll. Something like a department of shrinks and ad men which they consult regularly before they open their mouths.

"Well, what do you think of my proposal?"

"Frankly sir, I don't see a way to sell the 'Fuck up the American education system beyond all hope of repair' bill. How about we call it the 'No child left behind act?'?"

Osborn F Enready · Mar 29, 2006, 11:57 am

ROFLMAO, I agree Scrib. BOY do I agree. LOL

Arawn-ap-Hywel · Mar 29, 2006, 01:10 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Scribbler1

How is it the news media are the lowest of scum yet I'd wager almost everything you know comes FROM that media? I don't think I'd WANT to know anything that came from such a poor source, I know I wouldn't even QUOTE them, that's for sure.

Maybe the news media isn't as scummy as you think?

Scribbler1 A wager you'd loose (lol)

"scum" are extremely useful.
My little predjudice is extremely biased from my few contacts with journalists who didn't seem to understand the phrase "no comment" lol.
Though (as I'm in a condecending mood) my knowledge of the affairs of the world is through "filtered" media watching, and I often disagree with the waffle and opinions quoted that are put forward as fact. Often speculation distorts truth to the point it is beleived beyond fact. But hey one persons truth is only their opinion. (In mine lol)

Scribbler1 · Mar 29, 2006, 09:52 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Arawn-ap-Hywel

Scribbler1 A wager you'd loose (lol)

"scum" are extremely useful.
My little predjudice is extremely biased from my few contacts with journalists who didn't seem to understand the phrase "no comment" lol.
Though (as I'm in a condecending mood) my knowledge of the affairs of the world is through "filtered" media watching, and I often disagree with the waffle and opinions quoted that are put forward as fact. Often speculation distorts truth to the point it is beleived beyond fact. But hey one persons truth is only their opinion. (In mine lol)

This is why there's more than one button on the radio. But I don't offer a blanket approval of the news media. There ARE plenty of "scum" in the newsrooms out there, but I do believe they are a minority.
We probably agree more than disagree but then again I try to pretty much overdose on the news. The reason is, truthfully, I have a rotten memory and all my adult life I have tried to learn more than most people knowing I will forget so much I'll be on a par with the rest. It kind of gives you a different perspective on the news media because you see more, so you see more sources and how information is presented.
As I said before, even FOX News is a good source as long as you know what "news" is and what "opinion" is.

I don't know MORE than anyone else, but I believe I often see it from more sources than a lot of people.

Mar 26, 2006, 09:40 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
thirdeyeblindis Sedimentary Rock Posts: 15	The Media= Nothing good. Am I alone in thinking the media works against the best interests of the american public. I mean they plant false images of reality in peoples head and they are mostly out to make a profit. What do all of you think?

Mar 27, 2006, 05:15 am	#2 (permalink) (top)
Osborn F Enready Principled Observer Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 13,873	I would agree overall. Many journalists want to do good stories, good news (as in like EXPOSING news) but they are directed from the top, their advertisers agendas, their editors and that leaves very little room for most to do GOOD work, other than towing the company line. Try googling "media ecology" and read some of the works exposing this "takeover" of American media since the creation of modern media. Most news has become "propaganda" and little else. What did we expect when we allowed accountability to take a back seat to ratings? It's the people fault, and it still is. The people need to DEMAND better, and at the same time, turn off the tv sets, stop buying the papers, and do their reading on the internet for free, starving the advertising machine of dollars. Petition of Redress of Grievances: http://www.givemeliberty.org/default.htm Canadian Lawsuit Against Their National Banks: http://www.freewebs.com/classaction/ Osborn F. Enready

Mar 27, 2006, 11:36 pm	#6 (permalink) (top)
Jack formerly Isherwood Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 13,371	I would rather have biased news than no news at all. I'm perfectly free to investigate stories further by reading many different sources and applying my own intelligence and common sense. Ignorance is not just not knowing, it can stem from believing everything you read and taking it as the truth as well. The Forum Rules Radical Atheist Heathen Queer Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be. (Ashleigh Brilliant)

Mar 29, 2006, 10:19 am	#15 (permalink) (top)
Scribbler1 Skeptical Patriot Posts: 7,746	Jeez. Making a little joke is gettin' tougher all the time. That's what you get for not being addicted to TV, Morgan. Not a day goes by that I don't see something that reinforces my belief that people are idiots.

Mar 29, 2006, 10:49 am	#16 (permalink) (top)
Osborn F Enready Principled Observer Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 13,873	I did laugh when I read it, which made it worth it Scribbler. I do agree with Milton too though. How sad is it when our minds trap in "sales slogans" just at hearing a couple bars of music from one of our least favority commercials. I would be bumming these days without a remote and a mute button. (can't afford DVR) Petition of Redress of Grievances: http://www.givemeliberty.org/default.htm Canadian Lawsuit Against Their National Banks: http://www.freewebs.com/classaction/ Osborn F. Enready

Mar 27, 2006, 07:01 pm	#4 (permalink) (top)
thirdeyeblindis Sedimentary Rock Posts: 15	Ok well then I'll look at the other side of this case as well. At least the news is getting out there. People will put the news into their own personal perspective whiether they are watching CNN or Fox news channel. Without the media, things such as the Amber Alert would not be able to be used and we would have never uncovered government scandals such as watergate.

Mar 28, 2006, 01:54 pm	#9 (permalink) (top)
Arawn-ap-Hywel Hot Lava Posts: 1,124	Can only agree with the majority of responses. The media whilst the lowest scum on earth do a valuable job in ensuring the voice of "Free Speech" is loud and in the face of our elected officials; and those in other countries with fewer such outlets.

Mar 28, 2006, 02:01 pm	#10 (permalink) (top)
thatoneguy00 The DON Posts: 256	Well you also have your politically oriented news stations. cunn and fox are like this. I lov efox, but they can do one story and cnn can cover the same one and as was said earlier the experts throw their opinion at ya, and oyu can tell its politically biased, but if your not paying attention they make it sound like its can't be any closer to the truth

Mar 28, 2006, 07:27 pm	#12 (permalink) (top)
thirdeyeblindis Sedimentary Rock Posts: 15	Ok but the entertainment industry is a part of the media as well, and the negative influences it has on not only today's youth but those who dont understand reality from fiction can not be helping the american public. Just because they put warning labels on them doesnt mean that the youth just cant get their hands on the goods just as easily.

Mar 29, 2006, 11:57 am	#18 (permalink) (top)
Osborn F Enready Principled Observer Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 13,873	ROFLMAO, I agree Scrib. BOY do I agree. LOL Petition of Redress of Grievances: http://www.givemeliberty.org/default.htm Canadian Lawsuit Against Their National Banks: http://www.freewebs.com/classaction/ Osborn F. Enready