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Why don't "the people" tell the news? Why do we make media companies responsible for reporting our news?
After an amazing Live Conversation with Julia Bacha today on encouraging the media to cover nonviolence leaders, I couldn't help wondering why don't people make the news?
Why do we let media companies tell us what the news is, as if we have no idea what's going on in our own backyards? We ARE the news. We make the news what is it, and yet it's not even decided by us. Why is this?
Why do we feel it's the responsibility of media companies to report on us instead of the other way around?
Kat Haber 500+
Numa Bellisario
Debra Smith 200+
Colin Platt
From his perspective, news cannot exist without advertising, and advertisers favor a subject matter that lends toward the sensational and spectacular. Ads are tested to sell their products best when viewers are in a state of uncertainty and fear. News has been shifting more toward the spectacle, and away from the in-depth investigative reporting and nitty-gritty details of the human experience, for many decades. When I suggested to him that editors shouldn't arbitrate what is newsworthy, he sighed forlornly.
Stories of war and disaster reliably make the front pages, as mainstream outlets gain access through special relationships with government, until new wars and disasters take their place. "Fatigue" is cited as a reason to draw down coverage, from the humanitarian crisis and civil war in Darfur, to the clean-up and rebuilding of New Orleans, to the wars of attrition in Iraq and Afghanistan. But these stories go on.
I still stubbornly believe the audience is out there for the nitty-gritty details of people's suffering and struggle to create a better world, and advertisers don't have a place there anyway. Viewers can become more active in supporting investigations that matter to them, and news that's local to them, using online tools and making personal connections.
Independent journalists can collaborate and put their work out there instead of competing for dwindling positions with established companies that serve their advertisers and do a disservice to the truth. If it's factual, well-researched, and biased toward the human interest instead of corporate interests, then they shouldn't have to starve to continue their work.
Karina Eisner 10+
I believe in the power of one. Plus one, plus one is even better :-) So, let's start that non profit!
Michael Clancy
Therefore, the level of bias (if you could measure such a thing) in news outlets seems to be indicative of the strength of the populations ideology. The stronger the beliefs of the populace, the more bias and hyperbole will be tolerated. I imagine you could chart hyperbole or bias in news organizations with war or economy and see some interesting results.
Another problem is tolerated news branding.
The most trusted name in news - OK?? Says you.
Whats happening and why - Sets many up for intellectual laziness and insults my intelligence (I can figure out why, just tell me what's happening)
Fair and balanced - Outright lie
These statements are misleading or disingenuous. The news is just entertainment under a false pretext.
Orlando Hawkins 20+
Gerry Thrash
Mohamed Selim
given the term "truth" is totally vague
so these organizations tell what's possible to be said
given the fact that "meetings" are all closed
afterwards "they" tell what is supposed to be said
meanwhile, you see journalists have their sources or when they run like crazy to be the first to receive the news
this mechanism is old fashion
I personally don't understand, the environment has changed though "they" keep governments family like
as it's for certain people, who said that?
why do we have governments at all?
security??!!!, we have governments now, we are not secure
I think sometimes maybe terror is a move from governments themselves to keep being in power
this age is gone, and so shall the system governing the old approach
I really keep thinking what makes me believe what was told in the news is right
is it possible to check how correct the news were!, sure no
I can go on, when an old guy talking to his young children, is it always the truth said there? or what the father thinks suite the kid, assuming when he grows "enough" he would know
at that time, he will be going for some time trying to figure out the benefits, consequently coping with the idea
Sarah Moran
Joel Detka
Kent Spencer 10+
Orlando Hawkins 20+
But I think you should really watch the documentary "Outfoxed" jor read Edwards Berneys "Propaganda" (He was one the the leading figures in the formation of the Public Relations Industry, who by the way is responsible for the way "news" is filtered into the public") just to get a different perspective. I do agree that not all journalist or reporters are bad and your right, rumors would be spread all over the globe but one really has to give up their integrity and values just to be part of the big news corporations. I really do respect independent journalist. they are they only source of news that I read or listen to
Andrea Morisette Grazzini 30+
The reason we "the people" don't tell the news is because:
1. We think they are the experts and/or we think it is not our job
2. We don't have the support or platform (read: money) to produce media pressure and/or PR and/or alternative sources
Andrea
Comment deleted
Frans Kellner 100+
But how to get the attention from a large public and donations to support it?
Something like this maybe:
http://suprememastertv.com/
Debra Smith 200+
Debra Smith 200+
Perhaps that is why many successful movements which created great changes in some societies in Latin America were led by middle aged women. Corporate or other interests had very little leverage against them and they had already lost what was most dear to them ( like when their sons were 'disappeared')so they chose to stand against the evils which were being perpetrated in their countries. Maybe this is also why the young are doing so well in leading the middle east changes.
Zubin Paul Driver
mae gale
This effects us as a country not only internally but globally. The most popular journal in my country has metadata in their site with keywords like "massacre, kidnapping, floods, poverty" so we rank higher in news with these topics. We're trying to start a community newsfeed/blog about positive ideas and initiatives happening now and also create and interest for these positive topics (sadly most Hondurans are stagnate and indifferent when it comes to good events, since continuing them require some kind of effort on their behalf ).
We're really struggling with getting people on board with the concept.
What do you think is a creative and innovative way to get people to start talking and connecting and start telling their stories, their news?
We're working as a non-profit org, so we can't really offer monetary awards. I've thought about using vanity for charity, perhaps offer people those 15min of fame but for "heroic" act.
I use quotation marks for the word heroic because sometimes, the simplest things feel very heroic, because they require so much sacrifice and will power.
Perhaps start featuring small and ordinary acts, yet heroic to some. Like someone that wakes up at dawn to run everyday. Or feature a family that has adopted a child.
I'm looking for ideas to inspire people to wake up and be part of a nation through will and conviction, not just by residence and cultural affinity.
If anybody has any ideas. Please let me know!
www.tubandera.org
Santiago Torres
Erol Toksoy 10+
Orlando Hawkins 20+
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSMIlvE4114
in this video notice the first stage (presentation of what the story is going to be about, which in this case is religions role on politics). The second and third stage were put together with the introduction of Sam Harris (as an author) and Ralph Reed (the politician). Not to say anything bad about these individuals but look at how they were presented. She emphasized how Ralph Reed was a Former Director of the Christan Coalition. With Sam Harris book title "The End of Faith", one already knows the position he is taking. The third stage is the debate, but also how they want to convince you to not listen to Sam Harris (noted by how little Harris got to talk (from getting cut off) and how long Reed got to talk).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BAFb97L3KU or for a more detailed account watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IwIRNM5noY
the first stage on the first link is skipped in this video but you can see how Fox, wants to shut down any sort of liberal thinking. This includes both the second and third stage This is a clip taken from the Documentary "Outfoxed" which also talks about the systematic manipulation of the American Public by Rupert Murdoch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FARDDcdFaQ&feature=related
This shows all three stages, as well as how Richard Dawkins is labeled as "Atheist" as opposed to Physical Anthropologist
hope this helps
Orlando Hawkins 20+
Noam Chomsky in his book (if I remember correctly) called "Imperial Ambitions" gives us a detail account of this manipulation process known as the propaganda model (Its a lot more detailed than what Wikipedia has to offer, not to say that Wikipedia is not a great source for information)
there are essentially three stages to the propaganda model. The first stage is the news anchor presents a particular but rather controversial issue (stem cell research, abortion, police brutality, etc) and then gives a brief statement about the issue.
During the second stage they present both sides of issue (this includes their original story/opinion of the issue) as well as what other people have to say about it (this is usually in the form of the news getting stories from random people or asking someone of high prestige to give their analysis of the issue)
The third and final stage to this is they bring two people one, with high prestige (usually governmental officials, college professors from prestigious schools, C.E.O's or pretty much anyone from the intelligentsia). They are brought on for their "expert opinions about the topic to get you to agree on a certain point". this last stage is very important since many people would rather listen to these "experts" as opposed to Joe and Melissa, who may have relevant and factual information that serves a suitable purpose but instead gets labeled as conspiracy theorist. These experts are brought on to convince they masses that the information they will receive is correct and to be honest with you this is where the real trouble is.
It really should come down to the individual being critical of all the information they receive and do research. only then can "the people" tell the news.
Scott Armstrong 50+
The standard of news journalism in NZ is laughable. It's pathetic and I am constantly dumbfounded as to why so many people hold "the news" in such high regard.
There's far more of value available through Dora the Explorer than network news.
Corvida Raven 100+
Stephen Palmer
Ben Jarvis 50+
also i don't think there's really anything underhanded about how one-sided news usually is. it's not about keeping people in the dark about the other side, it's about ensuring advertisers keep buying time. i've heard it said recently that ron paul has been unfairly sidelined by the media, but that's a perect example - he hasn't been sidelined because they don't like his views, others have been given moe attention because they pay for ads.
Scott Armstrong 50+
News media organisations certainly like to present themselves as full of "integrity" and "up to the minute relevance" though.
I also think that, in general, the News media has seriously underestimated peoples' media-savviness. I think it's safe to say that the TV Generation is now 2 generations deep and people are developing (informally, as schools have largely ignored TV) the ability to identify spin (bullshit).
Advertisers probably also undervalue the general public's media consumption habits. Maybe they don't.
Debra Smith 200+
Scott Armstrong 50+
The great thing about social media is that the producers and advertisers won't have one-way control of the message anymore, so if people think it's crap, they will say so - which is a very good thing.
Hopefully we'll see a similar thing happen in politics too..
Lola Adesioye
I am often shocked by a) how easy it is to become a commentator ad b) how willing the public is to absorb any information they are given with little to no reflection. I suppose people assume that because it is on tv or in writing it must be true. The more time I spend in the media world the less I trust anything I read, hear or see.
News and media now is mostly all business and titillation. The industry requires a radical rethink of itself and its responsibility to serve readers who trust and rely on it for shaping how they see the world.
Juliette Zahn 50+
Great question Corvida.
Well put Scott.
I have worked hard to insulate myself against the media ever since I became aware of it in childhood. News starts in second grade with gossip initiated by a perception-ally challenged person. It is perpetuated by narrow people. Then it is subscribed to and consumed by the lazy who don't wish to allocate any effort into finding the truth for themselves.
Debra Smith 200+
Corvida Raven 100+
I think the tools are certainly in place now to start utilizing platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Blogs to start creating our own local community news platforms that are then filtered and solicited to major news companies.
This is just 1 of many idea/concepts I have about this.
I personally run into the problem of wondering which news sites to trust as sources of information and that's is almost completely dependent upon the topic of discussion. That's a nightmare for me at 23. I don't have the patience, motivation, or time to fact check every source. I'm way more trusting of my community though because they're on the ground experiencing first hand the things that I'd like to hear more about.
Debra Smith 200+
There have always been special interests that worked to spin the news. Access has not always been easy. Watergate, things about Vietnam, things about all wars were hidden from the public but somehow with a credible source like TED teaching us the truth of things maybe what we are feeling is the dark before the dawn. Let's hope so.
Lindsay Newland Bowker 50+
In that sense I would have to take issue with the proposition of this question..The long information gap in news, and the growing complexity of our world today has created a great distance between "we the people" and what we need to know to keep our governement responsive to us at the national leel and to insure that our place in the wolrd of nations is responsive to "we the citizens of the world" How can we drive the news if aren't even in possession of critical information..can't even pose rhe right questions?
Special interests as you say Debra, have always tried to spin the news..that seems much easier today..news outlet are all partioned by ideology and political orintation ( I wouldn't dream of watching Fox news and those wtachers prbably wouldn't dream of wtaching Rachel Maddow or Charlie Rose or tune in to Democracy Now or NPR. There is nothing to defelect spin and distortion because as you are exploring in your loss of balanced journalism conversation, we don't have any sources of balalnced unbiased reporting anymore.
I think if "we the people" can learn to think and seek information beyond political affilitation and ideology we can begin to rebuild the 4th estate to be what it needs to be to support democracy and freedom wolrd wide.
Debra Smith 200+
Whistle blowers who tell the truth are against well paid PR specialists who have market survey data charting just what arguments are working when they lie to the public. PR specialists are expert in making the white knight look like a crazy, a criminal or a liar.
That is an additional part of the story, so many truth tellers are spun as crazy conspiracy theorists that we no longer believe in them at all. I find myself very critical of conspiracy theories and for years I just dismissed all of this information on the premise that society worked better than that and it would be impossible to get so many people to participate in a major cover up. After an MBA, I no longer believe that. Isn't that weird? I go into the education reserved for those who put all of their weight behind corporations and the material they give me to study convinces me of how bad the problem really is. I went from a sleep walker to fully awake when I realized the tactics were being used against our kids, our families, our pocketbooks.
Jay Mane
sterling brewer
Corvida Raven 100+
Finding your own sources also poses the question of how do you verify a good source of news? How do you know that your source is actually right or at least as close to the truth as possible?