The internet, breaking news, lifestyle change???

[Stuart G]

My way of getting news has changed forever.
I don't need to ever listen to radio, TV, my friends, or any other source of news other than this computer, and the internet.

Together the computer and the internet brought me the news of Bhutto's death..a major news story.
I recall one other important news story that I discovered on the internet. Six years ago, on September 11, I was surfing the net at 9am central time, and the person next to me at the library said go to this website..they have attacked New York City. There it was..

...News gathering has changed forever.
Yet, as always, we need to be very careful. Not all the news is the truth. And many would convey lies for their own gain.

[oldtime dfl_er]

1. the internet is our greatest

tool for sustaining democracy. No going back now. But I agree with you, people need to be careful what they believe.

[meegbear]

2. As Cecil Adams wrote ...

In the right hands, the internet is a most wondrous tool and in the wrong hands an even better one.

[Echo In Light]

3. One should maintain healthy skepticism. It is amusing, however, to note...

How so often people will immediately deem material found online, that is, specifically, material which offers info and views they happen to disagree with, as being unfounded, and not stemming from "reliable" sources.

And why is this? Translation: "unfounded" and "unreliable" means it's not found in the mainline press...which ironically does nothing but lie, omit and obfuscate on behalf of the corporate/state nexus. A sad, vicious circle, to be sure.

[Stuart G]

10. Outstanding post.."healthy skepticism.."

I agree with this statement..

..The mainstream media does indeed reflect the attitudes and slanted bias of corporate American's needs, and not the general public's
need to know the whole and real truth on some issues is ..well.......ok..two examples.

..We pretty much know the truth through the mainstream media, that Bobby Bonds used steroids, or that Yankee Pitcher, (brain fart, can't remember his name..used them..he even admitted to that)..The mainstream media gave us what is a pretty honest portrayal of cheating in Baseball........good fodder for the masses to play with

..Yet, lieing by the leader of the United States. repeatedly, and with horrendous consequences..Well the mainstream media does not use the word.. lie ..to describe his actions. A few isolated articles. but, not streaming headlines, or in depth front page
leads...Mr President..lied again.....or "This lie caused 10 people to die.."

..NO, in the second case, going to sources on the net, will allow us to see enough truth to gain insight. How CBS got to the point will it will tell half truths about world events, is a story unto itself. Perhaps we can find on the net. I do not think we will soon see that on CBS news..the network of ...Edward R. Morrow................more like the network of Summer Redstone.......

[IsItJustMe]

4. Quit watching msm a few years ago. Most of it is pure propaganda. The Corps use it extensively to

keep the sheep in their place.

[Echo In Light]

7. This is why the 24/7 cable "news" cycle began w/Reagan/Bush terrorist org

Repeat the lies often enough and they begin to stick in the public mind.

[IsItJustMe]

9. It's scary. I was in a airport terminal the other day and CNN was doing a real emotional Christmas

piece on how kids were writing the troops letters. Most of the letters were of a hero worship mentality and were praising the troops for the "Fighting For Our Freedom" meme.

No cristal analysis, just straight up bull shit. Half of the people in that terminal were glued to the TV. All of our MSM is involved in this dribble and it is very powerful.

At face value, it seems trivial; but without a doubt, the overall message of the piece was support the troops, support the war, and thus support the pResidents policy. How could it be otherwise?

[Historic NY]

5. I gave up on MSM news a long time ago............

who needs brain dead blonde's asking stupid questions or making their own biased opinions. The talking heads are just that, out to entertain and nothing they say ever makes sense. News has become an onslaught of one information after another and I ain't buying what they are selling.

[Historic NY]

6. delete dupe

[stillcool]

8. I don't know what has changed....

the internet or me..but lately my search time has lengthened considerably. I get the same 'news' article replicated over and over for several pages. To find some other piece that would lend credibility, or offer more information is like finding the needle in the hay stack. I like to think that I've gotten more discerning regarding what I see as factual, but I think information is being blanketed in order to have certain view points rise to the top.