Al Jazeera buys Current tv

[djAdvocate]

Jan 4, 2013 15:38:18 GMT -5 @jma23 said:

Jan 4, 2013 15:21:01 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

the MSM can't really move outside of a very narrow range of reporting that is fairly centrist. now, the non-news commentators are often right wing. i will grant you that. but that is no longer really "news" as the term is commonly understood.

to put it another way, if people want NEWS, the MSM is really a bad place to get it. the bias toward sensationalism and soundbites means that subjects that should get 15 minutes of background and explanation get 30 seconds of overview. it is hard to establish any bias in that little amount of time- other than the standard bias which prevails over ALL commercial TV news.

What do you feel is the standard bias for all commercial TV news?

i would describe it as a "target audience bias". the demographic of the preferred target audience is someone with a lot of disposable income. this demographic, in terms of the national market, is IDENTICAL. therefore, appealing to them will be done in an identical way. there is no use segmenting the market if you want all of it, which all commercial TV news stations do. and FOX has done the best job of reaching this audience, and keeping them- which has put them in a preferred position with advertisers. thus there is a circular feedback loop that is largely apolitical = target demographics>advertisers>management.

this is actually VERY verifiable, by the way. it is perhaps the most verifiable case in the social sciences. and it changes so slowly that it is barely perceptible.

[billisonboard]

Jan 4, 2013 16:05:19 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

"News should be impartial... should it not?"

It should be, but impartial news has gone the way of the dinosaur. It's been extinct for at least 20 years.

Now the news media is controlled by a handful of media coorperations who decide what you see. And of course that fits into their political agenda.

Unlike when I was growing up where we had CBS, ABC, NBC, and one local newspaper that got all its information from outside of a twenty-five mile radius of my home town from AP and UPI?

[djAdvocate]

Jan 4, 2013 16:05:19 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

"News should be impartial... should it not?"

It should be, but impartial news has gone the way of the dinosaur. It's been extinct for at least 20 years.

Now the news media is controlled by a handful of media coorperations who decide what you see. And of course that fits into their political agenda.

i would argue that they are largely apolitical. if it were legal to have their grandma put on the air during prime time and shot in the head, and it improved ratings, they would do it TONIGHT. it is truly planet of the apes in terms of this sort of stuff. which is why The Simpsons and Family Guy are on the same network with O'Reilly.

[deziloooooo]

Jan 4, 2013 16:28:56 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Jan 4, 2013 15:16:16 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

indeed.

I forget you guys don't get the CBC.

Are you saying that Virgil because of this program..?

"Little Mosque on the Prairie, a comedy about a Muslim family living in rural Saskatchewan. The series garnered strong ratings as well as international media attention."

It was popular..not sure if still on the air but could see it being a interesting show if done well..seems it was done well and became quite popular but not sure that translate into the country becoming pro or negative any particular group...possible more educated on the similarities of a muslim and main stream family which isn't so bad..we sure could use that here...

I wonder if the show would play well here...mmmmmmm?

[djAdvocate]

Jan 4, 2013 16:26:37 GMT -5 deziloooooo said:

unless one was a fanatic regarding what and how something was presented and not happy unless something like news and commentary was presented slanted in the way they personally feel ..there are those who are that way..LOL..just look around here..MOST of the rest of us , "just want the facts Ma'am..just the facts...." as the good Sgt Friday would say....{ Dragnet for those who are thinking Sgt Friday..? Huh..?}

this is it in a nutshell. to really cleanse the news of bias, it takes EFFORT, and, let's face it, most folks are simply not up to it. they are worried about keeping the lights on, food on the table, and paying for their grandkids college expenses.

[Virgil Showlion]

Jan 4, 2013 16:42:54 GMT -5 deziloooooo said:

Jan 4, 2013 16:28:56 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

I forget you guys don't get the CBC.

Are you saying that Virgil because of this program..?

"Little Mosque on the Prairie, a comedy about a Muslim family living in rural Saskatchewan. The series garnered strong ratings as well as international media attention."

It was popular..not sure if still on the air but could see it being a interesting show if done well..seems it was done well and became quite popular but not sure that translate into the country becoming pro or negative any particular group...possible more educated on the similarities of a muslim and main stream family which isn't so bad..we sure could use that here...

I wonder if the show would play well here...mmmmmmm?

I'm aware of that show, but my comment pertains more to a pro-Arab bias on the CBC news programs, such as The National, etc. You tend to see a lot more interviews with Hezbollah and Hamas sympathizers, more tolerance for Sikhism and Islam, and a subtle anti-American slant (what most Americans would probably call an 'incredibly' anti-American slant) and anti-Israeli slant when reporting on ME conflicts.

It's not a heavy bias, and as I said, a pro-Arab bias isn't altogether a bad thing. I'm simply acknowledging its existence.

It's nowhere near as far left as HuffPo, MoJo, et al.

As a final note: although 'Arab' and 'Muslim' are interchangeable in some contexts, my claim in this case is specifically 'pro-Arab', and not 'pro-Muslim'. For example, CBC reports on the Muslim conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa don't give the Muslims there any benefit of the doubt.

[Deleted]

I like how Time Warner dumped Current immediatley. Idiots.

[TonyTiger]

Jan 4, 2013 17:50:35 GMT -5 @joey said:

I like how Time Warner dumped Current immediatley. Idiots.

Mebbe it'll start a trend and al Jazeera will find the door slammed in its face...

[Virgil Showlion]

Jan 4, 2013 17:50:35 GMT -5 @joey said:

I like how Time Warner dumped Current immediatley. Idiots.

At the risk of sounding antisemitic, you'll note that something like 95% of all American media outlets are owned by members of a certain... eh... 'unnamed group', that might not be too favourable to al Jazeera.

[billisonboard]

Jan 4, 2013 18:09:16 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

Jan 4, 2013 17:50:35 GMT -5 @joey said:

I like how Time Warner dumped Current immediatley. Idiots.

Mebbe it'll start a trend and al Jazeera will find the door slammed in its face...

Or would it be in the face of the American people that the door is slammed?

[Deleted]

Jan 4, 2013 18:14:40 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Jan 4, 2013 17:50:35 GMT -5 @joey said:

I like how Time Warner dumped Current immediatley. Idiots.

At the risk of sounding antisemitic, you'll note that something like 95% of all American media outlets are owned by members of a certain... eh... 'unnamed group', that might not be too favourable to al Jazeera.

Is it even possible for Al Jazeera to get past the damage done by years of well-funded Islamophobes who have dominated the media landscape? I guess we shall see.

[Spellbound454]

In an effort to maintain its impartiality Al Jazeera is attacked... and even bombed by anyone who thinks that they may not be presenting that particular issue in a favourable light.....So get in the queue.............. .

...and yet it is the major news source for millions. You should know what is being said and be given a chance to counter the arguments which arise.

Besides, many of the presenters have previously worked for the BBC...I have no reason to doubt their integrity.

[Virgil Showlion]

Jan 4, 2013 18:28:46 GMT -5 @joey said:

Jan 4, 2013 18:14:40 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

At the risk of sounding antisemitic, you'll note that something like 95% of all American media outlets are owned by members of a certain... eh... 'unnamed group', that might not be too favourable to al Jazeera.

Is it even possible for Al Jazeera to get past the damage done by years of well-funded Islamophobes who have dominated the media landscape? I guess we shall see.

I suspect it will fare little better than the efforts to combat years of well-funded Christianophobes who have dominated the media landscape. :-\

Let's face it, the US MSM has an agenda and no major religion has any part in it. That includes Islam.

[Deleted]

Jan 4, 2013 18:45:59 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Jan 4, 2013 18:28:46 GMT -5 @joey said:

Is it even possible for Al Jazeera to get past the damage done by years of well-funded Islamophobes who have dominated the media landscape? I guess we shall see.

I suspect it will fare little better than the efforts to combat years of well-funded Christianophobes who have dominated the media landscape. :-\

Let's face it, the US MSM has an agenda and no major religion has any part in it. That includes Islam.

True enough.

[TonyTiger]

Jan 4, 2013 18:21:12 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Jan 4, 2013 18:09:16 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

Mebbe it'll start a trend and al Jazeera will find the door slammed in its face...

Or would it be in the face of the American people that the door is slammed?

That's a little too vague for my tiny little brain, Bill... ...barring anything substantive, I'll take my chances... ;D

[TonyTiger]

Jan 4, 2013 18:45:59 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

"...That includes Islam."

To an extent exceeding that of any other mainstream religion, by a considerable margin, I'll wager...

[billisonboard]

Jan 4, 2013 19:14:33 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

Jan 4, 2013 18:21:12 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Or would it be in the face of the American people that the door is slammed?

That's a little too vague for my tiny little brain, Bill... ...barring anything substantive, I'll take my chances... ;D

Sorry. Time Warner is working to prevent the American people from accessing information. Other corporations might do likewise. The American people lose in that situation.

[TonyTiger]

Jan 4, 2013 20:52:53 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

"...Sorry. Time Warner is working to prevent the American people from accessing information. Other corporations might do likewise. The American people lose in that situation."

Preventing the American People from accessing information, or dropping a Qatar-owned news outlet like a hot potato?

Capitalism at work, I expect.

Nobody's preventing anybody from accessing al Jazeera through other means, but they ARE vetting which news conduits that THEY will carry, as is their right.

I'm guessing that they're just getting out in front of a Viewer Backlash and/or Board Backlash and/or Judeo-Christian Backlash before it happens...

There won't be any trouble over it, if they don't carry it...

Probably a Smart Business Move, on their part...

[djAdvocate]

Jan 4, 2013 18:45:59 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Jan 4, 2013 18:28:46 GMT -5 @joey said:

Is it even possible for Al Jazeera to get past the damage done by years of well-funded Islamophobes who have dominated the media landscape? I guess we shall see.

I suspect it will fare little better than the efforts to combat years of well-funded Christianophobes who have dominated the media landscape. :-\

Let's face it, the US MSM has an agenda and no major religion has any part in it. That includes Islam.

agreed. the agenda is to sell products to people with money.

[Deleted]

Jan 4, 2013 23:05:07 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

Jan 4, 2013 18:45:59 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

I suspect it will fare little better than the efforts to combat years of well-funded Christianophobes who have dominated the media landscape. :-\

Let's face it, the US MSM has an agenda and no major religion has any part in it. That includes Islam.

agreed. the agenda is to sell products to people with money.

lol you silly peeps, they don't want your souls, they want your cash. God Bless Capitalism...I mean Allah...

[djAdvocate]

Jan 4, 2013 20:52:53 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Jan 4, 2013 19:14:33 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

That's a little too vague for my tiny little brain, Bill... ...barring anything substantive, I'll take my chances... ;D

Sorry. Time Warner is working to prevent the American people from accessing information. Other corporations might do likewise. The American people lose in that situation.

the people don't matter, unless they stop shopping. keeping them confused is a good way to ensure that. confused and preferably happy.

[billisonboard]

Jan 4, 2013 21:44:27 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

Jan 4, 2013 20:52:53 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

"...Sorry. Time Warner is working to prevent the American people from accessing information. Other corporations might do likewise. The American people lose in that situation."

Preventing the American People from accessing information, or dropping a Qatar-owned news outlet like a hot potato?

Capitalism at work, I expect.

Nobody's preventing anybody from accessing al Jazeera through other means, but they ARE vetting which news conduits that THEY will carry, as is their right.

I'm guessing that they're just getting out in front of a Viewer Backlash and/or Board Backlash and/or Judeo-Christian Backlash before it happens...

There won't be any trouble over it, if they don't carry it...

Probably a Smart Business Move, on their part...

All of that is true. And the American people still lose, particularly if, as you ROFLly suggest, it becomes a trend and it becomes harder and harder to access this different perspective.

[billisonboard]

Jan 4, 2013 23:09:54 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

Jan 4, 2013 20:52:53 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Sorry. Time Warner is working to prevent the American people from accessing information. Other corporations might do likewise. The American people lose in that situation.

the people don't matter, unless they stop shopping. keeping them confused is a good way to ensure that. confused and preferably happy.

Happy is an impediment to shopping. Got to make them unhappy with their 128,000 inch television so that they will buy a 128,001 inch television.

[djAdvocate]

Jan 5, 2013 0:07:32 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Jan 4, 2013 23:09:54 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

the people don't matter, unless they stop shopping. keeping them confused is a good way to ensure that. confused and preferably happy.

Happy is an impediment to shopping. Got to make them unhappy with their 128,000 inch television so that they will buy a 128,001 inch television.

good point. maybe happy was the wrong word. i think i was looking for CONFIDENT.

[djAdvocate]

Jan 4, 2013 23:08:46 GMT -5 @joey said:

Jan 4, 2013 23:05:07 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

agreed. the agenda is to sell products to people with money.

lol you silly peeps, they don't want your souls, they want your cash. God Bless Capitalism...I mean Allah...

i just found this at wikipedia. this is a basic disagreement between Lippmann and Dewey on the role of Journalism in a free society. Lippmann won the argument on practice:

In The Public and its Problems, Dewey presents a rebuttal to Walter Lippmann's treatise on the role of journalism in democracy. Lippmann's model was a basic transmission model in which journalists took information given to them by experts and elites, repackaged that information in simple terms, and transmitted the information to the public, whose role was to react emotionally to the news. In his model, Lippmann supposed that the public was incapable of thought or action, and that all thought and action should be left to the experts and elites.

Dewey refutes this model by assuming that politics is the work and duty of each individual in the course of his daily routine. The knowledge needed to be involved in politics, in this model, was to be generated by the interaction of citizens, elites, experts, through the mediation and facilitation of journalism. In this model, not just the government is accountable, but the citizens, experts, and other actors as well.

[Deleted]

Jan 4, 2013 13:39:48 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

"...Since 9/11 U.S. officials have claimed an anti-American bias to Al Jazeera's news coverage.

"Look, if you think any American official is going to tell you the truth, then you're stupid. Did you hear that? - Stupid."

- Arthur Sylvester, former Assistant Secretary of Defence for Public Affairs, circa mid-60's.

[weltschmerz]

"Little Mosque on the Prairie, a comedy about a Muslim family living in rural Saskatchewan. The series garnered strong ratings as well as international media attention."
------------------
I love that show! It's absolutely hysterical.
I didn't find it biased in either direction, Muslim or Christian. It dealt with cultural and religious misunderstandings in a comedic format. Very well-done.

[weltschmerz]

I forget you guys don't get the CBC.
-----------------
I can't even send links for CBC documentaries to the US. They won't play.
When my American husband first moved to Canada, he was literally mesmerized, and spent hours in front of the TV set, muttering, "They would never show that in the States. I wonder if people know this?"

[TonyTiger]

Jan 5, 2013 0:04:26 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

"...All of that is true. And the American people still lose, particularly if, as you ROFLly suggest, it becomes a trend and it becomes harder and harder to access this different perspective."

Perhaps... then again, we managed to survive just fine without allowing the Germans to buy one of our radio channels in the 1930s and without allowing the Russians to buy one of our news channels during the 1950s.

One does not concede any more 'ground' to one's Enemy than is absolutely necessary, and, despite all protestations to the contrary on the part of our government, etc., a considerable percentage of both our government folk and a considerable percentage of our common folk consider Islam to be The Enemy.

Right or wrong, like it or not, when you get right down to where the Bear $hits in the Woods, that's what this is really all about...

Not wanting to give aid and comfort - or a conduit that can eventually be used for propaganda purposes - to The Enemy.

[TonyTiger]

Jan 5, 2013 1:44:18 GMT -5 @devianity said:

Jan 4, 2013 13:39:48 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

"...Since 9/11 U.S. officials have claimed an anti-American bias to Al Jazeera's news coverage.

"Look, if you think any American official is going to tell you the truth, then you're stupid. Did you hear that? - Stupid."

- Arthur Sylvester, former Assistant Secretary of Defence for Public Affairs, circa mid-60's.

Yes. We learned that lesson during the Vietnam War, and it changed - perhaps forever - the extent to which the American People trust their government.