At one point, being a member of the press was a higher calling. The first amendment protects the press from government strong arming, a signal that the press was intended to provide a certain level of transparency to the people.

But running a newspaper/TV channel/magazine/website/etc. requires funding. The stories that generate the most views make the most money and in a free market, the most sensational news outlets will be the most successful. In that way then, our interests are what dictates the news. If so, the "bias" in the news is just a reflection of our own interests.

"Spin" is the another piece. The Fox/MSNBC divide is a reflection of our own desire to see news in a way that reinforces our own world view. Both organizations are not out to report, they're out to make money. They have found a segment of the market that will faithfully tune in to hear the perspective that they want to hear. The more spin, the better the ratings. Again, the bias is our own.

Thoughts?

I have an interesting perspective on this, being close to a rather prominent local newspaper reporter....

He wants to help the little people, and he wants to speak truth to power. Not a lot of mention of "Just the facts, ma'am."

(12-21-2011 02:05 PM)AtlanticLeague Wrote:  At one point, being a member of the press was a higher calling. The first amendment protects the press from government strong arming, a signal that the press was intended to provide a certain level of transparency to the people.

But running a newspaper/TV channel/magazine/website/etc. requires funding. The stories that generate the most views make the most money and in a free market, the most sensational news outlets will be the most successful. In that way then, our interests are what dictates the news. If so, the "bias" in the news is just a reflection of our own interests.

"Spin" is the another piece. The Fox/MSNBC divide is a reflection of our own desire to see news in a way that reinforces our own world view. Both organizations are not out to report, they're out to make money. They have found a segment of the market that will faithfully tune in to hear the perspective that they want to hear. The more spin, the better the ratings. Again, the bias is our own.

Thoughts?

I mostly agree. I think all news outlets stories are laced with facts and spun to appeal to their target demographic. I also believe that the broadcasters usually believe they represent the mainstream of America...

In other words I don't think people from Fox or MSNBC sit around and dream up ways to spin stories. I don't think there is this media conspiracy. I believe that the people presenting their stories really believe their spin represents most Americans. If you see everything through a liberal lens then when you report what you think is the middle to me your still left of center.

Does any of that make sense?

(12-21-2011 02:21 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  I have an interesting perspective on this, being close to a rather prominent local newspaper reporter....

He wants to help the little people, and he wants to speak truth to power. Not a lot of mention of "Just the facts, ma'am."

"little people?"

(12-21-2011 04:11 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(12-21-2011 02:21 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  I have an interesting perspective on this, being close to a rather prominent local newspaper reporter....

He wants to help the little people, and he wants to speak truth to power. Not a lot of mention of "Just the facts, ma'am."

"little people?"

Midgets!

Actually, it means the poor, minorities, downtrodden, people fighting the man, etc etc. Anyone but you and I.....

He is a very good reporter, but he is in it to speak truth to power.

(12-21-2011 04:34 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  

(12-21-2011 04:11 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(12-21-2011 02:21 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  I have an interesting perspective on this, being close to a rather prominent local newspaper reporter....

He wants to help the little people, and he wants to speak truth to power. Not a lot of mention of "Just the facts, ma'am."

"little people?"

Midgets!

Actually, it means the poor, minorities, downtrodden, people fighting the man, etc etc. Anyone but you and I.....

He is a very good reporter, but he is in it to speak truth to power.

I believe that. And immediately he shows a bias that those people need his help. His reporting will come from the perspective that those people can't manage their lives and that he knows better.

For national media, I would imagine it would be whatever sells advertising since most are owned by large corporations.

MSNBC / NBC ---> General Electric
ABC ---> Disney
CBS ---> National Amusements (owned by Sumner Redstone)
Fox / Faux News ---> News Corp (owned by Rupert Murdoch)

They are all owned by huge multi-national corporations with agendas and hardcore lobbyists. It's one giant conflict of interest.

What motivates the news is no longer the pursuit of truth and transparency. What motivates the news is agendas and the manipulation of public opinion as a multi-trillion dollar lobbying tool. Slashdot and some subreddits are infinitely more trustworthy than any MSM source of "news".

(12-21-2011 06:44 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  MSNBC / NBC ---> General Electric
ABC ---> Disney
CBS ---> National Amusements (owned by Sumner Redstone)
Fox / Faux News ---> News Corp (owned by Rupert Murdoch)

They are all owned by huge multi-national corporations with agendas and hardcore lobbyists. It's one giant conflict of interest.

What motivates the news is no longer the pursuit of truth and transparency. What motivates the news is agendas and the manipulation of public opinion as a multi-trillion dollar lobbying tool. Slashdot and some subreddits are infinitely more trustworthy than any MSM source of "news".

hmmm, i wouldnt go that far.

The motivation of most press is to somehow become part of the story instead of reporting it.

Finally was able to find that quote I was looking for:

Finley Peter Dunne (July 10, 1867 — April 24, 1936)
"Th newspaper does ivrything f'r us. It runs th' polis foorce an' th' banks, commands th' milishy, controls th' ligislachure, baptizes th' young, marries th' foolish, comforts th' afflicted, afflicts th' comfortable, buries th' dead an' roasts thim aftherward".