Life has always been an IQ test of sorts where the "fittest" are those who correctly interpret data from their environment around them.
News media, in case this isn't obvious, is just another consumer product. In a free market it is shaped by the "wants" not "needs" of the consumer of this news. News product from nations lacking a free press are a different animal entirely, often vehicles for propaganda (I suggest checking out Link TV for examples of how different news from some middle eastern theocracies can be and in SA Chauvez has shut down most independent news organizations in his country for obvious reasons).
While news presumably is about a cold presentation of factual events, there is a huge range of selective omission and presentation for the taste of the customer. If the news is not pleasing or satisfying to the consumer, it will not prosper as a business. In many cases this mean giving the customer what they already expect. Scare them a little to keep them dependent, and don't give them too much of things they don't want to hear (things like maybe it isn't everybody else's fault we're where we are).
My first experience that led me to hold news reportage in a different perspective, was being a student in Boston in the late 60's and being present at anti war rallies. Then seeing the TV and newspaper reports about events I experienced first hand. The media didn't overtly distort the facts, but it was little like that joke about 10 blind men trying to describe an elephant by feel. It all depends on where you were standing. ;D
We need to try to get as much raw data as possible, and form our own opinions after evaluating this data through the filters of our life experience. I find it odd that people are so quick to search out and embrace the opinions of others.. Life will educate you if you just pay attention.
JR
News media, in case this isn't obvious, is just another consumer product. In a free market it is shaped by the "wants" not "needs" of the consumer of this news. News product from nations lacking a free press are a different animal entirely, often vehicles for propaganda (I suggest checking out Link TV for examples of how different news from some middle eastern theocracies can be and in SA Chauvez has shut down most independent news organizations in his country for obvious reasons).
While news presumably is about a cold presentation of factual events, there is a huge range of selective omission and presentation for the taste of the customer. If the news is not pleasing or satisfying to the consumer, it will not prosper as a business. In many cases this mean giving the customer what they already expect. Scare them a little to keep them dependent, and don't give them too much of things they don't want to hear (things like maybe it isn't everybody else's fault we're where we are).
My first experience that led me to hold news reportage in a different perspective, was being a student in Boston in the late 60's and being present at anti war rallies. Then seeing the TV and newspaper reports about events I experienced first hand. The media didn't overtly distort the facts, but it was little like that joke about 10 blind men trying to describe an elephant by feel. It all depends on where you were standing. ;D
We need to try to get as much raw data as possible, and form our own opinions after evaluating this data through the filters of our life experience. I find it odd that people are so quick to search out and embrace the opinions of others.. Life will educate you if you just pay attention.
JR