Marc2b
Posts: 6660
Joined: 8/7/2006 Status: offline
|
I often have to work with newspapers and other local media in my line of work... that, combined with a lifetime of observation has taught me something that everybody needs to know: the media is a business that, like any business, seeks profit (in this case, by selling advertising space). That in and of itself I have nothing against but what most people don't understand is how the media sees itself. They are NOT in the business of relying information... they are in the business of telling stories... and the best selling stories that bolster people's worldview by appealing to their prejudices about others. I take ALL media reporting with a grain of salt. I believe that they usually get basic facts right but everything else is suspect. Example: When Saddam Hussein was captured we were told that he was hiding in an underground shelter and the first thing the G.I. said to him was "George Bush says hello." They captured Saddam... I'm pretty sure they got that right. He was probably found in an underground shelter... I'll grant that. As for the first words the soldier said to him? Bullshit. That, I'm quite certain was something some reporter made up because he thought it sounded good. Given the circumstances, the first thing Saddam heard from an American soldier were probably more along the lines of: HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM! GET 'EM UP! GET 'EM UP NOW OR i BLOW YOUR FUCKING HEAD OFF!" I could be wrong... but I doubt it. Another example: Tim McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber, grew up in small town just south of where I live. A&E did a biography of him and when they started talking about where he grew up they showed only a couple of pictures of my town, not his. One of the pictures was of an outdoor and hunting supply shop with a close up on the sign that advertised guns. The narration made it sound like we were all a bunch of bible thumping, gun toting, inbred hicks... which doesn't even come close to an accurate description. Never trust the media.
_____________________________
Do you know what the most awesome thing about being an Atheist is? You're not required to hate anybody!
|