Recently I was contacted by the folks at FDL regarding some media personalities and the comments they make to entertain their viewers.
In essence, I was asked to join them in saying "Basta!" to Lou Dobbs and ask my friends and family to do the same, with the following link -
This was my reply (I've edited it here to include a link, and correct an error) -
Normally I read your emails, and take action when possible. In this case I feel compelled to reply.
I understand that the need to take action against Mr. Dobbs's behavior is a warranted one. And I also understand the impact of his words. And I note folks like Media Matters do the public a fantastic service by pointing out misinformation in the nation's established media. However Media Matters and others fail to ask a larger question within their public published works - why is this constantly happening?
In constantly monitoring and observing both these endless falsehoods and requests for actions, I've reached a conclusion. If not Dobbs, then someone else. Glenn Beck is a key example; he was on CNN, now he's on Fox News. They are entertainment for their audience. The nation's established media is not - and has not been for some time - objective journalism and commentary on issues affecting the public. The reason why I think so might have something to do with sad fact that the nation's established media is largely owned by a few, large media/entertainment corporations. Their bottom line is revenue, not public interest. So their goals is sell as much ad time to their sponsors.
Enough public outcry over an issue might compel them to act (occasionally). But it also serves to draw more interest and attention to them, and in effect generate them more revenue.
Getting Lou Dobbs off of CNN is a noble idea. But I suspect though he'll just move somewhere else. I think a better idea is to find a solution that involves revealing to the public the larger truth about these established media and their pretend-journalism; if one really wants a true end to all this misinformation in our public discourse.
I've found the only way to really fight back is to not tune into cable news or their sister media wherever and whenever possible. They need my spending power and tune-in time more than I need their lies, misinformation and propoganda. I then get my sources for news and commentary from other sources.
This is what I do now. I understand that it's almost impossible to really completely do. I started by not having cable, and turning off network television in my home (we only use the TV for movies and DVDs).
This might be construed as a ban of the nation's established media. Perhaps it's is, I cannot think of a better word at this time.
I'm aware that doing so is in conflict with your request for action below. While it's good to take this sort of action, I'd like see the debate over media in this country move in the direction of really questioning the motives behind all this car-crash media and really develop long-term actions that will have a more positive impact on the nation, and the world.
I understand that the need to take action against Mr. Dobbs's behavior is a warranted one. And I also understand the impact of his words. And I note folks like Media Matters do the public a fantastic service by pointing out misinformation in the nation's established media. However Media Matters and others fail to ask a larger question within their public published works - why is this constantly happening?
In constantly monitoring and observing both these endless falsehoods and requests for actions, I've reached a conclusion. If not Dobbs, then someone else. Glenn Beck is a key example; he was on CNN, now he's on Fox News. They are entertainment for their audience. The nation's established media is not - and has not been for some time - objective journalism and commentary on issues affecting the public. The reason why I think so might have something to do with sad fact that the nation's established media is largely owned by a few, large media/entertainment corporations. Their bottom line is revenue, not public interest. So their goals is sell as much ad time to their sponsors.
Enough public outcry over an issue might compel them to act (occasionally). But it also serves to draw more interest and attention to them, and in effect generate them more revenue.
Getting Lou Dobbs off of CNN is a noble idea. But I suspect though he'll just move somewhere else. I think a better idea is to find a solution that involves revealing to the public the larger truth about these established media and their pretend-journalism; if one really wants a true end to all this misinformation in our public discourse.
I've found the only way to really fight back is to not tune into cable news or their sister media wherever and whenever possible. They need my spending power and tune-in time more than I need their lies, misinformation and propoganda. I then get my sources for news and commentary from other sources.
This is what I do now. I understand that it's almost impossible to really completely do. I started by not having cable, and turning off network television in my home (we only use the TV for movies and DVDs).
This might be construed as a ban of the nation's established media. Perhaps it's is, I cannot think of a better word at this time.
I'm aware that doing so is in conflict with your request for action below. While it's good to take this sort of action, I'd like see the debate over media in this country move in the direction of really questioning the motives behind all this car-crash media and really develop long-term actions that will have a more positive impact on the nation, and the world.
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