With the reading for class about the "Media Control" and past investigation into the media and it's bias, it appears evident that our nation is headed toward a dictatorial form of government.
The Chomsky and Parenti articles on Third World Traveler present information that the government uses the media as an outlet to portray what the government wants the American people to know. The government's influence over the media causes a bias and, consequently, the media has resorted to covering topics that portray certain heads of state of other nations in ways that directly correlate with administration views and the media distracts the public from central questions, such as what is our exit plan from Iraq and why does the Bush Administration want blanket protection for communication giants who were involved in illegal unwarranted wire tapping, and turns focus towards different things. This control over the media has created a biased opinion to a body that prides itself on objectivity and presenting the truth.
To begin on another point about the media, I have completed previous research about the media as a possible Fourth Branch of government and now after years of not thinking about the subject, I do not think this to be a plausible; instead, the media has become part of the Executive Branch of government. This is evident through media coverage of the Bay of Pigs invasion, Saddam Hussein's global perception and the invasion of Panama. In each of these cases selected facts were taken in addition to administration policy and made into a story that would convince Americans that the administration's view was correct or that it was only a minor setback in the overall goal that government X should be overthrown. This disinformation that the media presents to the public creates a misrepresentation of what certain political parties of other nations or revolutionary groups of other nations and creates a view of these people that the government wants the people to have. With these facts, it seems that the US is headed towards a dictatorial form of government because the Executive Branch has disregarded its role and become a shaper of public opinion as well as a war monger because of its total disregard for Constitutional principles such as the power to go to war falls under the control of the Congress. I fear that without the publication of more articles detailing the media bias and without a general concern and awakening by the public the nation will revert back to pre-Revolutionary times, under the control of a tyrannical force.
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You might enjoy reading Michael Parenti's *Inventing Reality,* a devastating critique of the corporate media.
It certainly seems the government is moving in that direction, and that is terrifying. I wonder if anti-trust laws would help, or if it's already too late? Perhaps the cure could be the proliferation of free arenas of thought like the internet, thus undermining the power of corporate/government media. Should a further dictatorial influence occur, would the American people revolt, or is there enough denizens on that side of the fence for it to be sustained? It certainly seems, though, as soon as the people realize where everything is heading, and conditions between classes continue to worsen, we're bound (and perhaps overdue) for a revelation about government, or some kind of political revolution.
I really like your observations on the integration of media into the executive branch. Thoughtful stuff.
I think that anti-trust laws would not be able to help in a situation like this because (1) the executive branch is in charge of enforcing these laws and has demonstrated control over the media and has no reason to change the status quo and (2) the judicial branch is severely lacking power these days because of the executive branch has severely overstepped its bounds and because of the fact that George W. Bush has appointed several members of the Supreme Court himself. So, some other action either by the people or by Congress is required to overturn this present monopolization of the media industry.
Additionally, I think that many people would be in favor of supporting drastic change of the media realm if they were pushed into the light. People need to realize this overstep by the Executive Branch and its manipulation of the people through media. With more information and an awakening of the sleeping public interest I think change will occur. However, I feel that the awakening will only occur once a great breach of power has been exercised by the Executive Branch.
Also, thank you specific relativity for the complement.
Yes, I am worried for our government of the people, which is at a rope's end here
what shall happen to us in terms of the world's problems, including China, and India
what is the fate of globalization by a country that creates this type of industry, will we be allowed the same freedom, that we excise?
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