A-fucking-men
Jan 25th, 2006 at 1:07 pm by Susie
Wow. Peter Daou hits a grand slam with this one:
What’s the common thread running through the past half-decade of Bush’s presidency? What’s the nexus between the Swift-boating of Kerry, the Swift-boating of Murtha, and the guilt-by-association between Democrats and terrorists? Why has a seemingly endless string of administration scandals faded into oblivion? Why do Democrats keep losing elections? It’s this: the traditional media, the trusted media, the “neutral” media, have become the chief delivery mechanism of potent anti-Democratic and pro-Bush storylines. And the Democratic establishment appears to be either ignorant of this political quandary or unwilling to fight it.
There’s a critical distinction to be made here: individual reporters may lean left, isolated news stories may be slanted against the administration. What I’m describing is the wholesale peddling by the “neutral” press of deep-seated narratives, memes, and soundbites: simple, targeted talking points that paint a picture of reality for the American public that favors the right and tarnishes the left.
Lots more, all good. Go read it, then come back and tell me what you think.
Well, the Republican corporations bought Congress. They’ve obviously bought the media too, and since it’s advantageous to have a Republican in power and also to have a boogeyman with which to scare the public, they keep beating the drum.
I’ve thought this for some time now (ever since GE bought NBC) but the question is, how in the name of the flying spaghetti monster do we beat it? I’m talking about all the networks, all the major newspapers, almost all the radio. Peter Daou is right, but what can we do?
i agree it makes me feel really powerless … and when you watch network news etc and think of all the for whom that is their only news source, its depressing. and then no one believes you when you say “thats not true…” cuz then they say “well how come thats never been on the news?” or “i’ve never heard that thats crazy”
One can only hope that Steve Jobs can have some influence with ABC (owned by Disney).
You can just taste the “truthiness” in the air on TV news these days can’t you?