Another academic rant...

One interesting aspect of the media that one must keep in mind is that of control. Modern day media, and historical for that matter, exercise immense control over the general population that views what they release. This control, which is not obvious, comes into our homes everyday. Newspapers and televisions are perhaps the most utilized form of media to establish control simply because they are so widely accepted and viewed. To explain where these thoughts are coming from I’ll give two examples.

Television programs are immensely important in shaping what is known as a “set agenda”. This agenda is essentially the collaboration of big business, media, and government. Which I have referred to in many of my posts so far. This alliance of elites is actually more like an upside-down tree, as a symbolic reference, in its form than that of a real alliance.
This just means that those who have the most power actually span across multiple areas of the elite class. Politicians who own large businesses are a great example. This union of the elites creates a dilemma, how do we maintain power? The solution for this problem comes through the media. The media sets agendas for the public, in the end choosing what is seen as important and relevant in the general public’s eye. The news is the best example for this. News media coverage is decided upon with values that are in the interest of the elite. In his movie “Manufacturing Consent” Prof. Noam Chomsky gives an example of just this. While genocide was being committed in East Timor the news barely reported on it, instead favoring North American interests in their coverage. Surprising? I think not. Secondly, general issues are created within communities and societies as a whole.
Take gun violence in Canada for example. Gun violence is decreasing every year, reporting of gun violence in the media has increased and public opinions about gun violence have gotten worse and worse in accordance with the media’s view of gun violence. This perfectly shows the true power of the media and how effective it is at setting the public agenda.

The print media mainly large newspapers such as the New York Times, also plays an interesting role in shaping public opinion. Although print media does follow the same trend of setting and creating public interest, it also has an interesting role in creating history. Large print companies such as the mentioned New York Times have in their storage a collection of historical articles and these are viewed strictly as fact. Which brings us back to topics discussed in the classroom. These articles however have always been in the shape of what the dominant ruling class wanted for its public. This essentially means that even in our history, our dominant ideals are being set for us.

This argument can obviously be taken much further and deeper as government/economic control is most certainly a vast topic. I just thought I would indulge a different side of myself in accordance to the issues I’ve been discussing in past posts. However, through these two examples given I believe that it is enough to stir up feelings of fear or even a simple curiosity. This will suffice as it will undoubtedly lead to a further questioning of the future media you consume, and thus a better understanding of its power.

Sick of the junk?

In keeping in turn with the issues that “The Death of Media” presents to us I thought this video was appropriate. When watching it for the first time I actually felt nauseous. It takes clips from different news segments and while yes, editing of this video does a wonderful job of portraying the message but it also highlights the moments on air that America may want to be ashamed of. Jon Stewart states “Stop hurting America.” With this immature attempt at news North American’s minds are being filled with unimportant “junk” as the movie claims. The references to McDonald’s, Disney, Viacom, CNN and many others all bring the video to one solid question “What happened to America?”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilNLeXefmNw

This next little clip is similar to what I referring to when I spoke about good or bad publicity is a great form of advertising. Just like I did not, I hope you don’t listen to George and check this website out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAxN-N9fQSg&feature=related

http://www.stopbigmedia.com/

Sign the letter. Anything we can do may help!

T.V made them do it.

In relation to a discussion in class about how involved people become with certain forms of media I thought that a certain television show fell into the category. The show is called “T.V Made Me Do It.” The basic premise is the shows on television were created by the people for the people to watch. Now the shows played are reinventing us and the way our society works. We once had control and now “they” control us. Really this show is about normal people who no one knows who do great and fun, exciting and sometimes strange things because what they have picked up off the shows they are obsessed with. This proves the obsession some people have today with some of our forms of media. Take the television away and these poor people would probably never have done the things they have. I find this interesting and disturbing all at the same time.

On channel 58
Air Times: Wednesdays @ 7:30 AM and 7:00 pm

Onions make you cry, but this website will provide real issues addressed in such a way you will laugh.

After reading some articles from the website: http://www.theonion.com

“Real” news compared to the “fake” news on the onion has turned into a topic with a very thin line in the middle. With titles like “Foot-Long Hoagie Used as Ruler” to “God Promised ‘Big Surprises’ In Store For hurricane Season” how can you do anything but sit back and laugh. There is a saying about making jokes about horrible events too soon. The onion makes these jokes in such a way that you are more informed about the event then you might have been before. Plus you may actually even believe the article more then the news program on the presidential elections you just watched.

“Tornado Violence: Are Tornadic Images In The Media To Blame?” is a great example of a version of something you might actually hear about in the paper or on the news. Eliminated the tornado part and just speaking in terms of violence in the media. The onion takes issues to such an extreme that it leaves you thinking. This is the goal. Through this article alone I started questioning whether or not the media puts out these statements that it is there fault about violence just for the attention of it all? Good or bad publicity is still some sort of plug for advertising. Even if the cover of the magazine says “Top Story: Media Lies About EVERYTHING!” You would probably put up the news paper or leave it on the channel and watch it. So they win either way. Either you are watching them so closely for them to mess up and trick you, or you are being sucked in and tricked

Then there are even more shocking articles that make me ponder about our society’s standards for news and life. For Example, “Nation’s Homeless Less Important Than Ever.” Where There are actually examples about how approximately five million homeless citizens are less important now than they have ever been. This is a little intense for a joke. I am able to see the humor but in some cases I guess you have to look to the onion for news that might just be too harsh for people to hear.

The Onion. Feburary 2008. America'sFinest News Source. www.theonion.com