my grandiose theory about the role of Rupert Murdoch and Fox.

[taxidriver]

Fox news was started in the late 80's or early nineties, under Bush Sr., to the best of my knowledge. since then, it has gotten two things: a popular cable 'news' channel and a popular regular tv channel.

what if...the combination of the two was a tool of rupert murdoch and his right-leaning cronies to help dumb-down and then manipulate the general public?

think about it. Fox is the channel that brings you the mind nimbing reality TV shows, (IE Joe Millionaire, simple life etc.) how convenient if lots of americans have yet another reason to disengage from the real world, and watch Paris Hilton's pretty face. and then, when they decide to watch news, FNC fills them with conservative propaganda. thereby pacifying them and ensuring that 75 percent of americans still thikn that saddam and 9/11 were connected, etc.

how about that for cynicism, eh?

[PoiBoy]

1. I think...

..you've hit the nail right on the head..!!! :hi:

[shraby]

2. Maybe they put subliminal stuff

in their commercials or in their shows to influence people who watch them.

[checks-n-balances]

3. I think that explains most of it

We can thank Murdoch for the "news as entertainment" trend, and he is purely in it to make money, not to report the truth. I think the other part of the equation is that puff pieces attract attention & sell better than anything requiring serious thought.

Whether or not he did this to distract us, I am convinced that the outcome of this type of "journalism" has proven to be a great boon to the right wing, so other media outlets have copied the trend and it has just mushroomed.

Definitely dumbed down news is one reason Americans can hardly think critically or think for themselves.

[RoyGBiv]

11. Ted Turner

No, we can thank Ted Turner and the cable industry as a whole for the "news as entertainment" thing. We also have Bush I to thank in part for this.

This really started happening on a large scale during Gulf War I, after those CNN reporters in their hotel rooms witnessed the fly-by of a cruise missile.

I'm not trying to downplay Murdoch's negative influence, but he was a player, not an originator.

[KoKo]

4. Just "Google" Roger Ailes, and you will get lots of info about how Fox

got started. CNBC and MSNBC and then on to Fox. He brought and bought Geraldo and Neil Cavuto and many others along who suited his way of thinking.

[Taverner]

5. Yep

Pretty much the way it is...

[Must_B_Free]

6. Is Murdoch really a Zionist?

and if he is, is it a relevant detail?

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. I don't think so

what makes you bring it up?

[the Kelly Gang]

7. Murdoch's only interest is making money..and he doesn't care

what he does to get it..switch support for politicians..whatever it takes. Dumb down the masses if he has too..I think since he had the trashy UK newspapers he probably correctly realised there was a similar market in the US for a cable tv station.

[DaveSZ]

8. I hope Kerry chops up his empire if he's elected

I can dream right?

[Tashi]

13. "Murdoch's only interest is making money..and he doesn't care"

Murdoch has had more than enough money for a long time, what he loves now is power and this makes him very dangerous.

[newyawker99]

14. Hi Tashi!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Mnemosyne]

9. Murdoch is trying to acquire directv

which I believe also owns dish. Can't remember where, but just read that/

Anyone?

Sadly, only sat tv available, though rarely watch anything but Gunsmoke and Bonanza.

[RoyGBiv]

12. I hate to disagree...

I hate to disagree with anything that criticizes Murdoch. I can't stand the man, and he is certainly an element in this phenomenon.

But, the "dumbing down" of America has been taking place for a very long time as has the resistance to intellect and inquiry as a virtue.

Read Richard Hofstadter's Anti-Intellectualism in American Life. - Copyright 1963.