Comments on: The Myth Of The Free Press http://melissablogs.com/2008/09/24/the-myth-of-the-free-press/ Information Pollination Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:50:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ringo http://melissablogs.com/2008/09/24/the-myth-of-the-free-press/comment-page-1/#comment-9461 Ringo Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:29:41 +0000 http://www.melissaclouthier.com/?p=10651#comment-9461 You have hit upon a topic of great interest to me as my grandfather was a newspaper editor for 40 years or more and as a child, I loved listening to his stories. The problem I have with the MSM today is that the constant insertion of "editorial" content, i.e. bias, has left us with a situation where thinking people just take everything that's presented with a serious dose of skepticism. So, at the end of the day, I'm left with very few hard facts and no verifiable information. In many respects they are hurting their own cause because I no longer have to actually "watch" a news program to get the spin, I scan the ticker, hit the highlights, "infer" the spin and try to catch on a few facts for me to research the truth of. Recent reports have indicated they are losing viewership in droves. Is it any wonder? Then we have another effect, that is that there are a large number of people I encounter on a regular basis for whom the propaganda has become fact. In conversation they reflexively recite the spin. Conversation with them is impossible and all one can do is listen and nod and exit stage left at the earliest opportunity. I don't necessarily blame them for this. They have become the product of the the steady drumbeat of daily indoctrination. And honestly, it's not just liberal MSM it's the right-wing talk show drones as well. But whether it's "right" or "left" the indoctrination has left us with no room for debate and without verifiable fact, (without endless hours of independent research). You have hit upon a topic of great interest to me as my grandfather was a newspaper editor for 40 years or more and as a child, I loved listening to his stories. The problem I have with the MSM today is that the constant insertion of “editorial” content, i.e. bias, has left us with a situation where thinking people just take everything that’s presented with a serious dose of skepticism. So, at the end of the day, I’m left with very few hard facts and no verifiable information. In many respects they are hurting their own cause because I no longer have to actually “watch” a news program to get the spin, I scan the ticker, hit the highlights, “infer” the spin and try to catch on a few facts for me to research the truth of. Recent reports have indicated they are losing viewership in droves. Is it any wonder? Then we have another effect, that is that there are a large number of people I encounter on a regular basis for whom the propaganda has become fact. In conversation they reflexively recite the spin. Conversation with them is impossible and all one can do is listen and nod and exit stage left at the earliest opportunity. I don’t necessarily blame them for this. They have become the product of the the steady drumbeat of daily indoctrination. And honestly, it’s not just liberal MSM it’s the right-wing talk show drones as well. But whether it’s “right” or “left” the indoctrination has left us with no room for debate and without verifiable fact, (without endless hours of independent research).

]]> By: Trish http://melissablogs.com/2008/09/24/the-myth-of-the-free-press/comment-page-1/#comment-9384 Trish Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:22:54 +0000 http://www.melissaclouthier.com/?p=10651#comment-9384 In 1987, when I moved from Illinois to California, Chicago had two newspapers. One was mildly conservative--the Tribune--and one was mildly liberal--the Sun-Times. In 1995, when I moved from California back to Illinois, Chicago had two newspapers. One was mildly liberal--the Sun Times--and one was extremely liberal--the Tribune. Yet the Tribune is the "Republican" newspaper. Such is life in the People's Republic of Illinois. In 1987, when I moved from Illinois to California, Chicago had two newspapers. One was mildly conservative–the Tribune–and one was mildly liberal–the Sun-Times.

In 1995, when I moved from California back to Illinois, Chicago had two newspapers. One was mildly liberal–the Sun Times–and one was extremely liberal–the Tribune. Yet the Tribune is the “Republican” newspaper.

Such is life in the People’s Republic of Illinois.

]]> By: Robert Arvanitis http://melissablogs.com/2008/09/24/the-myth-of-the-free-press/comment-page-1/#comment-9382 Robert Arvanitis Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:45:35 +0000 http://www.melissaclouthier.com/?p=10651#comment-9382 In the old days, newspapers were quite clear where their sympathies lay, with names like "Democrat-Register" or "Dispatch Republican." And nothing wrong with that either. Phil Rizzuto was a loyal Yankee, but in 40 years as an announcer, never lied about the score... In the old days, newspapers were quite clear where their sympathies lay, with names like “Democrat-Register” or “Dispatch Republican.”

And nothing wrong with that either. Phil Rizzuto was a loyal Yankee, but in 40 years as an announcer, never lied about the score…

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