Media Manipulation

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews and reports the opinions of experts and journalists who have analyzed the issue of media manipulation of the news. This is not a paper that is predicting a "big brother" conspiracy that is trying to take over America or brainwash all the TV-watching, Internet surfing and newspaper-reading citizens. But there are many issues that the average American should be aware of when trying to read, hear, watch and digest "news" as presented by the media today, and this paper addresses those concerns.

From the Paper:

"It's very clear from reading through research material on today's media that most Americans get their evening news through half-hour TV programs specializing in dramatic, entertaining video and "sound bites" from politicians, entertainers, and the "man in the street."
Those news shows - from cable, local, and network productions - are often more concerned with ratings (which drive the profitability of television) than with full coverage. That is not a positive trend in American life, and this paper addresses that dynamic as well.
The significance of media manipulation can be seen even more dramatically with a look back at the way television journalism was presented to the public in the recent past. Reporters had guts, and went after government; that is depicted in a new movie, "Good Night and Good Luck," written and directed by actor George Clooney. The movie features the professional life of former CBS television interviewer, Edward R. Murrow, who boldly took on U.S. Senator Joe McCarthy at a time when McCarthy was attacking many well-known people with baseless accusations that they were "communists." An article in the Los Angeles Times (Goldstein, 2005) refers to Murrow as "a real hero" who, like other journalists in his era, "once pursued greatness, not just ratings and ad linage."

More papers on Media Manipulation:

• Analytical Essay # 74168 : "Propaganda and Media"
• Term Paper # 7749 : "Media and the War on Terrorism"
• Analytical Essay # 7288 : "The Role of Media"

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