February 22, 2012

You are here: Home / Archives for Media

Is the Media Truly Unbiased?

The Kindle New York Times

Image by B.K. Dewey via Flickr

Have you ever considered where you’re getting your information? The goal of journalism and news reporting is that the information presented is supposed to be unbiased. All information is to be presented, so that the public is left to form an opinion from that information.

The problem is that too much of the information is filtered. News comes from basically five corporations who control the newspapers, news broadcasts, etc. How do we know that the information we receive is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Sure, it’s important to keep some information private. Leaking some information could lead to soldiers being harmed, for example, because their location was leaked.

But for the most part, the public has a right to know how the government is being run, where tax money is being used, and so on. Whether news stories are being edited for the “public good” or to create sensationalist stories that will be more interesting, this type of news reporting is unacceptable.

Reporters and journalists need to be held to a high standard. Instead of skewing the news to fit their own agendas, the real information needs to be released so that the public can understand what is going on the world and do something about it. Creating fluff pieces that have no meaning or making something seem worse than it is is not true reporting. Truly, it’s a disgrace to journalism everywhere. Unless it’s an opinion piece, clearly stated, keep your opinions out of the news.

Filed Under: Media Tagged With: , ,

Get the Music You Love with a Cricket Cell Phone

Cricket Communications logo 

Image via Wikipedia

Cell phones are quickly becoming very sophisticated. It’s not uncommon nowdays for a cell phone to call, text, tweet, and make reservations – all at the same time! A common feature that the industry is starting to see more of is playing music on the phone. Cricket has recently announced a really cool wireless plan for their phones. Check out the best features of the Muve Music Unlimited Wireless Rate Plan.

1.       The price. As far as wireless plan are concerned, the Muve Music plan can’t be beat. It’s only $55 a month for unlimited voice, text, web and music.

2.       Music. This plan is perfect for a music phone. Included in the plan is umlimited music downloads. You can view, select, and listen to any type of digital music – all on your cell phone. Plus, you can get music though any Bluetooth-enable device, like a car stereo.

3.       The library. And speaking of music, the Muve Music library is incredible! You’ll find music from more than 55 record labels like Universal Music Group, Warner, Sony, and EMI Music. Looking for some international flare? How about music from more than 50 countries? IT’s all possible through Cricket.

4.       Unlimited possibilities. Also included in that $55 a month price point is unlimited nationwide calling, text, picture, and video messaging, 3G mobile web, data back up, ringtones, and more!

The Muve Music Plan is perfect for those who love music, but also want one of the most sophisticated phones around. Will you be trying out the Muve Music Unlimited Wireless Rate Plan?

Filed Under: Media, News Tagged With: , ,

Is There Any Such Thing as “Unbiased Reporting” ?

If ten people see a robbery there will be ten different accounts of what happened. Most of the accounts will be similar but there will also be major differences. Why?

Each of us process everything that happens around us through our own reality filters. We look at events and then filter or process them through the filters of what has happened to us in the past. All events are processed this way.  Why would the news be any different?

Conservatives claim that CBS, NBC and ABC are biased to favor liberal view points. Liberals claim that Fox news is a conservative mouthpiece. Each of the news services claim that they are reporting the news as they see it and they are not biased but are allowing the viewers or listeners or readers the opportunity to decide for themselves.

In reality they are all biased and all reporting the news in their own “unbiased” way. They also know that their viewers, listeners or readers will process the information and make their own conclusions. It comes back to the reality filter within each of us.

CBS, NBC and ABC probably are more liberal in their reporting, just as Fox is more conservative. Each is trying to be neutral in their reporting but they always look at the world through their own filters. Each draws certain audiences which like the presentation of the news based on their own filters.

There are even people who watch both types of newscasts so they can see the differences of the newscasts and then make decisions about what “really happened” based on their own filters of the newscasts. Are you confused yet?

Can newscasts change public opinion? Absolutely. Are newscasts politically biased? How can they not be? Trying to neutral bias causes a bias. We cannot live without bias as we are all human. Recognize the bias and make your own decision.

Filed Under: Media Tagged With: , ,

Which News Stations Lean Left or Right

​There is little question that most of the popular news outlets in the American media have a tendency to lean to one side or the other on most subjects such as human rights, taxation, social services and national defense. However, discovering which stations are more likely to present views you can identify with can be a daunting task. For most Americans, watching at least one station of each bent can be extremely beneficial, as you are much more likely to receive the entire story, rather than just the points that are important to one group of people.

W​hile there have long been news commentators that can be identified as right wing, such as Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter, left wing commentators may not be so easily named. Rachel Maddow, in her aptly named show on MSNBC, often provides a more left wing commentary to current events and news happenings. MSNBC hosted another liberal news show framing commentator Keith Olbermann until he resigned in early January 2011 over a dispute with the station management.

F​inding news talk shows on the radio may be an easier way to ascertain the political leanings of a specific commentator. For instance, NPR has traditionally given a more humanistic, liberal bent to their news reporting. The aforementioned Limbaugh has had numerous radio talk shows over the years and continues to commentate, even following a number of personal embarrassments. While many people believe that you can tell the direction of bias in a news commentator by listening to who he criticizes, that it not always the case. In fact, the best commentators will be sure to mention every political decision that they can find issue with, whether or not they belong to the same political party as the government or elected official involved. This is typically how reporting by any one person or station can be deemed as fair and equally balanced.

Filed Under: Media, News Tagged With: , , ,

News Media Gone Bad

Delivering news to the public is a competitive business. Many networks compete for viewers. Having so many networks to choose from should be a good thing. Unfortunately, it has created an environment so competitive networks have created news shows that attempt to appeal to the masses by outrageous programming.

The networks have become biased and create shows that claim to expose issues such as corporate fraud, government spending and political scandals. On the surface, the programs seem to reflect the frustrations American feel during the current economic down turn.

Much of the news is spun to create strong emotions. News stories are presented in such a way to create anger and outrage. The American public has been pushed to the brink of despair by many of these news tactics. Americans continue to become angry and frustrated. The media continues to fan the flames of these emotions to gain in ratings.

Sadly, this can lead to people losing control and resorting to violence. The recent violence in Tucson found the political parties blaming each other for their harsh rhetoric and accusations. The media is just as responsible as it has used this harsh rhetoric to create controversy and fan the flames.

The American public is angry and many are struggling to survive. The constant bombardment of information related to corporate bailouts and wasteful government spending is sending people over the edge. As a person may be losing his home to foreclosure, he will see a report about million dollar bonuses to executives of companies that received government bail out money.

The way this information is presented is the issue. Those reporting this news often use emotions to appear as champions of the American people. This display of emotion in the media stirs emotions in the viewing audience. It can push a person to the breaking point, which can result in violence.

Filed Under: Media, News Tagged With: , ,

Newspapers

Newspapers are, of course, a great source for news. Offering news in national, international, local, weather and sports, newspapers keep citizens abreast of breaking news, updates and predictions. However, newspapers also offer sections that can challenge readers: The opinion sections. These sections can be written by Associated Press writers, local writers and/or citizens. Often connecting to current news, events or issues, the opinion articles offer stances on issues and encourage reader response. The drive of the opinion sections in the newspaper business is to increase readership by inciting argument and agreement in readers.

Inciting Argument

Newspapers realize that half of the readers are most likely liberal and half conservative, therefore, newspapers often encourage one-sided opinion articles that will incite argument. A reader who is highly averse to an opinion may write a response to the opinion piece, which the newspaper can then choose to post. The give and take of this argument can incite more reader response, and readers may choose to renew a subscription for the opinion articles.

Inciting Agreement

On the other hand, readers who agree with the opinion writer may choose to renew their subscriptions to read the opinion writer’s response to the argument. Alternately, the agreeable reader may wish to read the opinion writer’s pieces to feel understood or to further understand an issue. In desiring an ally, an agreeable reader can identify a opinion writer, for example. Additionally, to further understand an issue, a reader may wish to read the opinion article for a quick one paragraph synopsis of the situation. In any case, inciting agreement can increase or retain readership.

Opinion sections can be very intense tools for reader retention and increased readership. By inciting argument and agreement, an opinion section can help readers either voice an alternate opinion or develop an ally in article’s writer.

Filed Under: Media, News Tagged With: , ,