Bigthink - Idea Comments Feed

Comment on: Is the media responsible for the war in Iraq?

Bigthink — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:54:05 +0100

I believe this argument is effective in getting the point across: the media could have done a better job at informing the readers. However, there are certain things the public don%u2019t want to hear, especially if it means they%u2019re wrong. Another thing is that it isn%u2019t entirely the media%u2019s fault there is war in Iraq, it was the people who chose to believe and are now looking for a scapegoat.
Yes, the media has some responsibility in the war. They were responsible for informing the public of what was going on, instead they downplayed demonstrations against the war and few news organizations came out and said that it was wrong.
As Paul Krugman said, what happened was that after 9-11 people rallied behind the government. The media was pressured to not publicize what was really up because organizations questioned what they did. It%u2019s not the first time in the history of man that the public backs up their government after an emergency, Argentineans rallied around La Junta. Not only was it the people that closed themselves, but Krugman also mentions the White House closing access to media.
Krugman recommends not trusting the press, at least not yet. I can see why, they have given us reason not to. He does say to read critically as there has been a %u201Ccomedown since the case of Watergate and the Pentagon Papers.%u201D

This is in response to Paul Krugman.

Comment on: Is the media responsible for the war in Iraq?

Bigthink — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 05:02:22 +0100

The press only reported what they were told. If the president tells the media that Iraqi men flew a plane into the twin towers, then that is what they will report. And that is what the American people will believe. The only way we find anything out different is when conspiracy theorists come out with their "own version" of what happened and it turns out to be the truth. The media displays typical corporate behavior. They report what sales. If "Terror on America" gets more ratings, guess what we're watching on TV until its over. The media only looks as deep as it takes to get more ratings.

Comment on: Is the media responsible for the war in Iraq?

Bigthink — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 08:03:00 +0100

I think the press will always neglect it's duty. Since I have never been to Iraq personally I can't necessarily say if they are doing a terrible job of reporting reality or not however given the fact that I work in the media industry I would say that they only show what supplies the ratings. Given that showing a more gruesome side usually provides a greater stronghold I would say that is more the case scenario.