It is crazy that today’s media world is controlled by only five companies! Having a few conglomerates running today’s media leads to a shortage of opinions being communicated to us. We do not have a choice to listen to different perspectives and as a result a few media companies are deciding what to show us. Whatever they decide to leave out we will never know about.
In my blogging class (yes, a blogging class!) we watched a film called OUTFOXED: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism. Rupert Murdoch was the CEO of the Fox News Corporation which is one of the big five conglomerates that control today’s media. “This film provides an in-depth look at Fox News and the dangers of ever-enlarging corporations taking control of the public's right to know” (www.outfoxed.org). Through all of the media that Rupert Murdoch controls his total audience reaches ¾ of the world! This is unbelievable. Fox is said to be extremely controlling over their news casters and what to say and how to say it. The station claims to be a balanced station presenting all different sides to the story but in the end many believe they really only lean towards the conservative view (If you were conservative this would not be such a problem – but IT IS!). By only broadcasting one side Fox news is trying to persuade their viewers to adopt the company’s viewpoints. If I were to only watch Fox News I would most likely start to take on these conservative views because it would be the only information I would have.
It may be a generational thing since my dad loves FOX and he says it is the only network which gives a balanced view. I guess the issue is really not that cut and dry.
The film OUTFOXED takes issues with FOX for reporting stories about Martha Stewart and other “celebrities” instead of reporting serious issues like the columbine shootings The news is for news NOT gossip. The film implies that by hardly reporting the Fox News Corporation is blurring the lines between news and commentary. Via cheap and easy stories Fox News is able to get a gut reaction and interest from their viewers. It is interesting to compare this perspective to my dad’s. He has the exact same criticism of the other main media outlets. He says they all have a biased liberal view and only tell one side to the story – theirs.
We should hold all media outlets to a higher standard and not let them portray only one opinion. We as individuals need to confront those with the power and we need to take it back. There needs to be a balance of the voices and views which are being put out in today’s media. We are today’s future leaders, it is up to us to try and gain more control over our media intake.
So any ideas on how to start?
XOX Jessica
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