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Hassan H

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Do people really challenge and analyse the information given by the media ?

I think that it's interesting to understand how people create a belief due to the exposure to the media.

Topics: Belief System Decision Rules of Brain; Public Opinion belief decision making information mass media media opinions wisdom of crowds
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    Roy Bourque 20+

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    May 8 2012: Hassan,
    On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles broadcasted his version of "War of the Worlds" on CBS radio, and he presented it in the very same manner that the media was covering the events going on in Europe. It created quite a stir. His reason for doing so was in direct relation to your question. He was disturbed that people believed what the media was presenting without question.

    Just recently, I spoke with a friend who watched a program on "60 Minutes" that covered a group that he was quite familiar with. He says he will no longer watch "60 Minutes" because they presented only what they wanted you to know about that group, and it was completely out of touch with what he knew personally.

    I believe that the media intentionally seeks to create a belief. Not saying that it is always wrong. I only cited the above examples to show that it is not always right. People need to think for themselves and not make decisions based solely on what the media presents to them.
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      Hassan H

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      May 8 2012: Very Wise answer Roy! thank you so much for your contribution.

  • David Messel

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    May 7 2012: I don't know what "people" do; go interview a bunch of people and find out. I know I question everything I read or see. Journalism, mainstream and on the web, is horrendous and usually fails to analyze or answer even the basic questions of who, what, when, or where. Much less trying to tackle the big question of why? If you are really interested why don't you set up a website with articles people can read and then ask them whether they believed it or not and whether they fact-checked any of the information in the article. Would be very interesting to see the results.
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    Robert Winner 50+

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    May 6 2012: Most do not challenge anything. I wish it was just the media with disinformation. Jane Fonda a known traitor to the US is often asked for a opinion. Snookie speaks at ivy school graduations. Our elected officials took the word of the President that Obamacare was good and never read the document (2000 pages). Clinton and Kennedy had affairs in office and laughed at the American people yet they are often voted as moral, decent, and honorable people. This could go on for a long time but you get the idea. America is in trouble and yet the people still do not have time to look at the facts. I question everything. I write letters, get involved, and am also willing to see the other side when the facts are coompelling. We are entering a political firestorm will you believe all the party has to say or will you learn to think for yourself. I saw a great bumper sticker that made me think. "AM I TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS MORE IMPORTANT WHAT MITT ROMNEY DOES WITH HIS MONEY, THAN WHAT OBAMA DOES WITH MY MONEY." The power of spin doctors to make you look at what they want you to see than what the real issue is.

    By reading the above you may well think you can determine my political affilation .... But like a spin doctor I have led you to where I want you to be. Take the time to sort out the real issues and come to your own decisions. All the best. Bob.
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    Salim Solaiman 50+

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    May 6 2012: Majority rarely do so fall prey to it........
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    pat gilbert 50+

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    May 6 2012: The problem is not in what people are aware of, it is the stuff that they are not aware of that causes them trouble.
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    Fritzie Reisner 100+

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    Host
    May 6 2012: Few people, I think, believe everything they hear. Most people, for example, understand that advertising doesn't present "the whole truth and nothing but the truth." Most people are aware that the news that comes forward is selected less to give a balanced picture of what is happening than to present stories the producers think will grab the viewer's attention. But people seldom have the time and access to gather the information pertinent to every media story to do thorough analysis of the truth, falsehood, or complexity of what the media brings forward and how that is portrayed.
    People may come to accept attitudes that are presented repeatedly if they seem believable rather than entirely far-fetched. Propaganda and other forms of marketing can work this way with words and images.
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