There is a certain cynicism in regards to media political coverage. I am by no means a stranger to the feeling. Actually, I may even go beyond a mere cynic and fall into the category of masochist, for sometimes I enjoy watching certain "news" programs because I get to experience and array of emotions that remind me that I am alive and that I do...well...care. For instance when I hear something such as this, http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html?playerId=011008&streamingFormat=FLASH&referralObject=8305794&referralPlaylistId=playlist ,I start by feeling sympathy because I'm sure it would be terrible to lose a parent. But then I start to question what kind of health care her father would get if he had NO health insurance. And then I get a bit annoyed with Fox because they only show things that promote their agenda. Where's the video that shows a woman whose father was saved because he had medicare? That would be a bit more "fair and balanced" in my humble opinion. After the annoyed feeling subsides, I start to ask myself why I even look at things I know will annoy me in the first place. Now comes the psychological self-examination stage of the process. Then, after I decide that looking inward is a hopeless endeavor, I start to feel a bit more complacent (which is where the accepting things I cannot change comes into play). I vow to never watch things that I know I will disagree with again. Then however many minutes later, I'm doing it all again.
What I was going to get at before my mind obviously went a bit off-course is this: Is the media at fault for any misinformation, spun information, or bias information? Or is it us, as the consumers that should take a bit of responsibility and search for the truth instead of just simply believing (or not) in things we want (or don't want) to believe in just because someone in a suit says it and because it fits into the comfort zone of our own beliefs? Is the media poisoning us with lies? Or are we poisoning ourselves because of our own lack of effort and simply blaming the media because it's the easier thing to do?
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The media & the consumer must be held accountable!The consumer needs to be less gullible in what they believe is reported & the consumer needs to hold the media outlets accountable for what they report. The great thing about America is is that it was set up for people to hold others accountable, for example, Checks & Balances, that does not apply to just our government, it needs to apply to the people & the media!
ReplyDeleteThat's really the issue, isn't it? People love to blame the media, but we live in a pure capitalist system, and one of the flaws is that there's no objective quality control. The modern media is like any other business, trying to fill a niche. It just so happens that in this country, that niche is partisan hackery and cheap sensationalism/fearmongering. The media is only reflecting what's already there, and we need to come to terms with that if we ever hope to improve the situation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you totally. I'll like to have Foxnews on the liberal side because as annoying as they are, atleast they seem passionate for their goals. CNN is losing viewers because they present both sides more than another station. Foxnews is doing well, so are conservative talk radio, what annoys me though is that, they are banking in millions off their listeners misery.
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