Y&R Discussion Group -- Are the Media Reporting or Creating the News? (political)

Y&R Discussion Group

Topic: Are the Media Reporting or Creating the News? (political)

Topic Posted by: faysie
Date Posted: Sun Sep 28 10:44:38 2008
Additional Comments: Different polls I've been hearing indicate that large numbers of Americans are against the bailout. Most of these people of course recognize that something needs to be done, but aren't sure what. I would be in exactly the same predicament. Last night, Roland Martin, a CNN political analyst (IMO strongly) suggested that all Americans who are against the bailout contact their State government asap to make their concern known. Isn't that against the spirit of reporting the news? Should a member of the media like this be actually encouraging 'main street' to this type of action when TPTB in Washington are simultaneously trying to reach a consensus about this? I really don't know. I was just surprised that he'd suggest this - and he certainly wasn't kidding - he was dead serious. Do you think this was a proper thing for a CNN political analyst to do?

Posted by: Pronoun
Date posted: Sun Sep 28 18:12:45 2008
Message:
There was an interesting man on CNN this morning and I wish I could remember his name. I believe he was an economist and has written a couple of books on finance and the government. He said that the media is too quick to take the word of others and that it is the job of journalists to be skeptical and dig out the answers but they didn't do that. Instead they just interview different people like Paulsen and report the sky is falling (I'm paraphrasing). I agree with him. I do believe the situation is dire but I'm only saying that because everyone is telling me so. It would be great if someone would actually explain what happened and what the consequences are if we don't bail them out. I don't think that's asking too much to give the public.

Posted by: nicklac
Date posted: Sun Sep 28 17:26:21 2008
Message:
all media is owned by 5 conglomerates and all are globalists. They will 'lead' you to the conclusion they want you to make. Yes, they flat out lie half the time.

Posted by: Kate
Date posted: Sun Sep 28 12:35:58 2008
Message:

The media isn't as it used to be. Case in point? Fox News (fair and balanced) The 24/7 media is so biased. I guess they can do whatever they wish.

As for the bailout. I'm not an economist so I'll have to depend on my elected lawmakers. Evan Byah, Dick Lugar and Brad Ellsworth. I doubt they have a 'dog in the race' so I think they're honest. I trust them.

Posted by: ingyandbert
Date posted: Sun Sep 28 11:45:22 2008
Message:

There is a vast difference between an analyst and a reporter. Analysts are NOT reporters. Their job is to give opinion whereas the reporters' job is to state the facts. That's why it's critical when listening to media discussion and weighing the various comments to pay close attention to the role of the person who is speaking.

Replies: (list all replies)

thanks for making that distinction i&b. Perhaps I worded something a little incorrectly in my post. But I do realize that Roland Martin is a 'political analyst'. Aren't 'political analysts' considered part of the media? This fellow was going beyond 'giving an opinion'... he was suggesting that the viewers launch their own campaign against a gov't bailout by contacting their State reps, etc. That's what surprised me. Especially when TPTB in Washington have been working so hard lately to reach an agreement about this bailout situation. Does that seem like a suitable thing for a 'political analyst' to do? that is my question. /faysie

You see analysts, strategists, or commentators of all stripes. Some are, well, analytical and somewhat academic. David Gergen is an example of that type. His analysis is more or less professorial in nature and he doesn't focus much on things like personality. Then there are the heavily partisan types like (that idiot) Michael Reagan and Donna Brazil. Some are more like entertainers than serious analysts. So it doesn't surprise me that someone would be out there advocating a specific agenda or trying to influence the actions of voters. Again, Right or wrong, that is what happens in today's media. I think it's incumbant on the listener to know who they're dealing with. ~i&b