US media, controlled or free?

Discussion in 'Politics & Religion' started by WebdevHowto, Jul 23, 2007.

  1. #1
    I would be interested to hear your opinions on whether or not the US media is controlled or is free to report as they please.

    If you feel they are controlled, who do you feel the media is controlled by?
     
    WebdevHowto, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  2. komirad

    komirad Well-Known Member

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    #2
    I wouldn't say it's controlled, but I can say it is bias.
    I watch fox news occasionally, but I am not from USA.
    My country's media is controlled to a point to even saying something that the government doesn't agree with will be suppressed.
     
    komirad, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  3. WebdevHowto

    WebdevHowto Peon

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    #3
    I see you have your location as SG, is that Singapore?
     
    WebdevHowto, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  4. GTech

    GTech Rob Jones for President!

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    #4
    Simple question should cover this one:

    If the media is controlled, then why does it go so far out of it's way to portray everything Bush does as the worst possible thing?

    If Bush (or his current administration) were controlling the media, the news would be quite different.

    In anticipation...if Bush is being controlled by the non-existent illuminati, then why is the non-existent illuminati controlling the media to portray everything they supposedly control, in a negative manner?
     
    GTech, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  5. komirad

    komirad Well-Known Member

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    #5
    Yes, Singapore :D
    BTW, we have the same color theme (our blogs)
     
    komirad, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  6. WebdevHowto

    WebdevHowto Peon

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    #6
    So are you saying the media is free? If so, do you mean in the US or internationally?

    If you are going to pose a question like that, don't present it as a such an obvious trap, I think most of the DP members are a bit more sophisticated than that.
     
    WebdevHowto, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  7. RovingCalypso

    RovingCalypso Well-Known Member

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    #7
    Its not controlled but extremely biased and I don't think FOX even tries to portray Bush and the Republicans in general in bad light.
     
    RovingCalypso, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  8. WebdevHowto

    WebdevHowto Peon

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    #8
    I was there for a short but interesting visit a few years back. I hope I get the chance to visit again sometime in the future.

    Are you a native of Singapore? If not, how does the media compare from your home counrty to Singapore.

    We do have the same color theme, but I confess I used a template ;)
     
    WebdevHowto, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  9. komirad

    komirad Well-Known Member

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    #9
    This is getting quite off topic but:
    I lived in Singapore since I was borned, so yes I am a native.
    Comparing to USA, we don't really have free speech or free press. Even protesting is illegal. (There is a law like no more than 5 ppl can be together at the same time, but it is not really enforced, but it is still there in law) (And to speak publicly, you need a permit :))
    Singapore is really quite boring IMO.
     
    komirad, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  10. WebdevHowto

    WebdevHowto Peon

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    #10
    Does your media have a political side to it? Would you say it is more liberal or conservative?
     
    WebdevHowto, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  11. GTech

    GTech Rob Jones for President!

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    #11
    I suppose that depends on what you believe "free" is. I am, speaking about the US only. For example, we saw just a few months ago what Chavez did with the media in his country that opposed him.

    You'd be surprised ;)

    Bias works both ways. For example, during the Lebanon/Israel war was summer, CNN was caught and admitted they were being biased. During Hurricane Katrina, one of CNN's anchors (I covered this here, but don't have a reference) was actually race baiting their black guests into saying "Bush doesn't care about "black folks."" Then of course, CNN "X"'d out Cheney during a live broadcast. Then, of course, there was Rathergate with CBS. There as the NYT that deliberately exposed a secret classified spying program that had congressional oversight. Six months later, NYT admitted it was the wrong thing to do and that their decision to "expose" it was because of Bush.

    Fox news is a favorite of people to bash. The problem there is, FOX has entirely too many liberals on. I sometimes wonder if people really watch it. At times, it seems they have more dems/liberals on.

    I've kept a bookmark folder for media bias over the years. Obviously it's too big to paste them all, but here are few:

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19113455
    http://honestreporting.com/articles/45884734/critiques/Palestinian_Insiders.asp
    http://www.blackfive.net/main/2005/01/aiding_and_abbe.html
    http://powerlineblog.com/archives/008122.php
    http://powerlineblog.com/archives/009245.php
    Originally from Yahoo News:
    http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com...MSM_Election_Coverage-_Incredibly_Biased&only
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/mai...ltop.html&secureRefresh=true&_requestid=14627
    http://patterico.com/2005/04/30/ilo...remove-critical-facts-supporting-us-position/
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/07/12/nbbc12.xml
    http://www.aim.org/aim_column/3951_0_3_0_C/

    A study by UCLA on media bias

    http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=19682_Gray_Lady_Admits_Being_Willingly_Taken_In
    http://newsbusters.org/node/6552

    A well documented case of deliberate media bias:
    http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=22391_Fauxtography_Updates&only

    http://www.realclearpolitics.com/blog/2006/09/the_aps_switcheroo.html
    BBC admits it is biased

    So yes, I very much agree there is a bias in the media. I also believe it tends to favor the left and enemies of the US.
     
    GTech, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  12. gworld

    gworld Prominent Member

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    #12
    It is not an easy question to answer and it has 1000 shades of Grey. For example, Media can censor itself because they don't want to look unpatriotic. Journalists don't want to ask difficult questions because they don't want to lose their pass card to White house news conference. The network doesn't want to have a reporting that can cost them advertisers or cause problem with FCC for their next application for radio or TV stations.
    Then there is the technical problems, almost all Media are dependent on the big News clearing houses that collects the information (news) and sends it out. News can be censored at the source and local media will not be even aware of what has happened in other part of the world.

    Is everything controlled? NO
    Is everything Free? NO
     
    gworld, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  13. WebdevHowto

    WebdevHowto Peon

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    #13
    So speaking of the US media, you believe it is controlled by the "left"?
     
    WebdevHowto, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  14. skibladner

    skibladner Peon

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    #14
    skibladner, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  15. GTech

    GTech Rob Jones for President!

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    #15
    You know, that's really an interesting question. I do like to believe it's not controlled, under the auspices of "BushCoHitlerMcChimpyBurton" and the illuminati. There is no mistaking media bias though and that to a degree, it is "controlled" by those who produce it. Honestly, I don't see how anyone could claim the NYT is a Conservative news source. So, yes, in some ways, I can accept that it is "controlled" by people/ideologies.
     
    GTech, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  16. GTech

    GTech Rob Jones for President!

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    #16
    And you had a point?
     
    GTech, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  17. WebdevHowto

    WebdevHowto Peon

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    #17
    What people/ideologies do you think the US media is controlled by specifically?
     
    WebdevHowto, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  18. GTech

    GTech Rob Jones for President!

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    #18
    Must it be specifically? I sense you are digging for something. I believe I've covered that in a general overview. Which part did you find the most rewarding and do you believe the media is controlled by *some power?*
     
    GTech, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  19. WebdevHowto

    WebdevHowto Peon

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    #19
    I found your opinions "rewarding" in that I like to hear what other people have to say. I am interested to hear your response to my question. If you want to follow your answer with questions, I am willing to give me my opinion(s). As it stands, I am still awaiting an answer.
     
    WebdevHowto, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  20. GTech

    GTech Rob Jones for President!

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    #20
    GTech's been around the block a few times ;)

    Earlier in the thread, a wise man suggested:

    At that time, I had no idea just a few posts later, I would see how wise that man really was ;)
     
    GTech, Jul 23, 2007 IP