creating not reporting
Something I have been thinking about in relation to the readings on bias and propaganda we have had over this past unit is how the media creates and directs news- not just reports it. A simple way to look at this in motion is by either following sports or the weather. I am a sports news junkie, and it is fascinating to see how the story spins from one day to the next. Just a couple examples. Anyone watch the NBA finals? Remember when the Celtics defeated the Cavs and suddenly Lebron James was in serious trouble. Was he ever going to able to lead a team to the finals? Could this hurt his free agency? In 24 hours the media view on him turned 180 degrees. Favre- hero or zero? The news seems to report in attempting to create results/direction for its consumers. Weather- yes it is important to know if serious weather is coming our way. But the reporters bring it to a point of terror, and are usually partially wrong. Two different examples- similar outcome. Report do not direct. This can translate into more important issues. Just though these would be easy examples.
Another version of what you talk about might be the 'news' outlets simply ignoring events or people in the news. I remember hearing John Edwards' people complain (before he did himself in) about how the media was ignoring him. It was said they simply did not report on his campaign at all while the other candidates were being reported on regularly. Not only are the we being manipulated by the version of the news story but by what is and is not being covered.
I wonder if we would watch the news if they did not sensationalize it. Maybe they are responding to our need for controversy and extreme comments. Maybe we like the fear of bad weather. Like going to a horror movie.