from that second comment:
On a side note - I was thinking about weather manipulation today. If they could do it to increase profits of utility companies they would. I think they may have already tried.

http://www.haarp.net/

yes, they have. a fair few times.

-k

Propaganda is not transparent to its target.

Yep. Like the Chinese proverb: the fish doesn’t see the water.

As for me, I’ve not trusted the news since seeing Bill o’reilly describe a friend’s murder and having the story so badly twisted I didn’t even know he was talking about someone I knew until halfway through the segment..(!) A few years after that I was interviewed at a political gathering and they actually spliced my words together to make it sound like I was on the opposite side of the fence. As far as i’m concerned, if it’s not in writing, with references, it didn’t happen.

First off, you got me. I was trying to figure out what word to use and was just blanking so I threw in “skeptical.” The term I shoulda used is “critical”…”watch with a critical eye.”
Yea, be aware of the bias… but, more than that. Be aware of the story “they” are trying to tell. Be aware of the premises of the story and the world-view it takes to have those premises. This sounds complicated, but its really quite easy because there is only a few types of world-views that get “reported.” Figure ‘em out and your golden.

And I am a fan of cable news. I think it is a good avenue for getting information (though it certainly shouldn’t be your only avenue), and not so good for getting a solid analysis of that information (there are some notable exceptions). Is there too much desire and fear…yea, and it gets annoying, but there is solid reporting in there as well. As a whole, I believe the people are more informed about the world than they were before the birth of CNN.

It is also important to note that information from the tv has to be balanced by the internet, newspapers, magazines, books, lectures, classes, travel, etc. Its much easier to call bs on a news story if you know the history of the region or know a few people who live there an can talk to them directly.

I go through phases, but right now I’m stuck on PBS, C-SPAN, and CNBC. Three months ago it was MSNBC and ESPN. FIve months ago I didn’t watch any tv. Like I said phases.

Be Good,

Ronin

I don’t disagree with anything that you’ve said, I’m only trying to point out that the CNN situation is not unique. The idea of bias and greed is not a revalation (and neither does it need to be you can write about what you want) But I’m just trying to expand what you said to different situations - the themes you’re talking about can be applied to a whole lot of topics. I hope you don’t misunderstand.

You aren’t the only one who knows the news is biased, and thank god. I did not intend that to be an insult nor do I actually believe you think you’re the only one who knows.

You’re not the only one who knows the news is biased!

Wait a second… where did I say that I was the only one who thought this? Your reaction seems to indicate some kind of threat perceived to your feeling of uniqueness. Nowhere was that indicated in my text…

overanalysis to say that CNN is purposely doing all this sneaky stuff behind everyones back. Of course they’re in it to make money, of course they have ads.

I’m not suggesting they’re doing anything behind anyone’s back or that the ultimate goal isn’t to make money…

I do think it’s every thinking person’s job to take what they see and decide what the really believe, same goes with the bible etc. etc.

I just think it’s silly to expect anything other than exactly what you’re pointing out. Fear and desire? Isn’t that what we all feed on? At a basic level aren’t we all just really acting in our own interest and our own opinion?

By the way I’ve read your site for a while, I think it’s great.

I’m personally a fan of cable news,

For what reason?

I agree it is important to watch with a skeptical eye.

What does that mean though, precisely? How does someone know what to filter out with their skepticism?

Perhaps this is the source of the Fox/Al Jazeera rumor, which seems to be labelled as “satire”:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6894936/

AJ, what are you talking about? Fox does not own Aljazeera, it is funded by the Emir of Qatar, proxied through the Qatari goverment…though there was some change in the arrangement a few years back.

Ronin

I might add that most are not aware that Al-Jazzeera (S.A.) was purchased by FOX back a few years ago.

If there is a vast liberal media conspiracy please name me the liberal equivalents of the following, (in terms of power, influence, money etc.):

FOX News
FOX News Lite (AKA CNN)
Rush Limbaugh
Ann Coulter
Sean Hannity
Neil Cavuto

Though he is a confessed right winger (a rarity in academia) he could only list one person from NPR that is quite popular - though I have never heard of him.

But your main point is well taken - both Cable News channels are basically propoganda. As a source of information on current events they are virtually useless. Though I admit they have a certain usefulness but not to me.

On a side note - I was thinking about weather manipulation today. If they could do it to increase profits of utility companies they would. I think they may have already tried.

http://clips.mediamatters.org/issues_topics/outlets/cnn