8 ms·

When the good times are rolling corruption in the media does not reveal itself. Chomsky was writing about corruption in the US media in the 80s and pointing out

by rapsey 6y ago

When the good times are rolling corruption in the media does not reveal itself. Chomsky was writing about corruption in the US media in the 80s and pointing out the things that are plain as day now. Very few listened. Media has always been beholden to powerful interests. Especially now when their revenue streams are drying up. Saying many don't is naive. You just don't see it, because the corruption reveals itself about what they don't print. For that to be obvious you have to be aware what they are hiding from the public.

mcv 6y ago
I do not disagree that a lot of US media are corrupt, I merely disagree that that is the only way it can be. There are many countries where the media aren't that corrupt. The problem is really the toxic situation in the US, not the concept of media itself. Independent media is absolutely essential for a functioning democracy. Of course there's some tension between capitalism and the idea of independent media, because in capitalism, you sell that for which there is a demand, so many US media just say/write whatever their readers want to hear, and if those readers care more about having their own prejudices confirmed and stoking the toxic tribalism that's dominating their country, then that's what purely capitalist media will write. But in many other countries, journalists are more idealistic than that, and have editorial independence. And when the media owner threatens that independence, journalists cry foul and leave. Arguing that media can only be corrupt, is basically arguing that there can not be any democratic accountability. Instead of arguing it cannot be improved, it would be more constructive to demand improvement, demand editorial independence, and follow and pay for those media that offer that.
- ranguna 6y ago
  I completely agree WITH you. I think rapsey I locked in his own mind and is not tolerable enough to accept that there are countries with different characteristics and culture than the US.

by rapsey 6y ago

mcv 6y ago

I do not disagree that a lot of US media are corrupt, I merely disagree that that is the only way it can be. There are many countries where the media aren't that corrupt. The problem is really the toxic situation in the US, not the concept of media itself. Independent media is absolutely essential for a functioning democracy. Of course there's some tension between capitalism and the idea of independent media, because in capitalism, you sell that for which there is a demand, so many US media just say/write whatever their readers want to hear, and if those readers care more about having their own prejudices confirmed and stoking the toxic tribalism that's dominating their country, then that's what purely capitalist media will write. But in many other countries, journalists are more idealistic than that, and have editorial independence. And when the media owner threatens that independence, journalists cry foul and leave. Arguing that media can only be corrupt, is basically arguing that there can not be any democratic accountability. Instead of arguing it cannot be improved, it would be more constructive to demand improvement, demand editorial independence, and follow and pay for those media that offer that.

ranguna 6y ago
I completely agree WITH you. I think rapsey I locked in his own mind and is not tolerable enough to accept that there are countries with different characteristics and culture than the US.