The right-wing conspiracy against the media in this country

[Ardent15]

The American news media used to have some integrity to it. It used to have been taken something to taken seriously. But now, it has been systematically destroyed by a right-wing conspiracy to create a culture of cynicism towards the American media and a belief that the "mainstream media" is somehow a "liberal media" that is engaging in conspiracy against the American people.

The repeal of the Fairness Doctrine, for one, opened the doors for corporate radio to feed the American people a toxic diet of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, and countless others at the national, state, and local levels.

Then there was the war on newspapers with the advent of cable television-specifically Fox "News." Suddenly, with the constant pounding of Murdoch and Ailes' propaganda giant, and with the help of talk radio, saying things like "The New York Times has a liberal bias!" and "Don't read your newspaper, it's Biased!", two things happened.

First, the newspapers declined in readers and influence, and second, the major newspapers took a giant step to the right, out of fear and intimidation.

As if there weren't enough, Fox and talk radio pressured the rest of the media-NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, PBS, NPR-to go towards the "center"-which is really code for conservative-lite. Thus, with Fox winning in ratings, other media conglomerates thought "Hmmmm, maybe it would be better business to be right-wing rather than fair and factual."

Thankfully, we still have a few honest LIBERAL programs on MSNBC, but the real savior of news in this nation-and the future-is the blogosphere. To Firedoglake, DailyKos, CrooksandLiars, and this site, I salute you. :patriot:

[KharmaTrain]

1. It Was Telcom '96 That Did This...

First...the Fairness Doctrine never had anything to do with hate radio...only pertained to political advertising and public affairs shows that are no longer mandated.

The destruction of our public airwaves are due to Telcom '96 that allowed a handful of corporates to buy up the largest stations around the country and then to force feed right wing hate and destroying local competition and a diversity of voices. It allowed companies like Cheap Channel (owned by booooshie "pioneers") to decide what you would hear regardless of ratings...and created artifically high prices that prevented others from buying all but the weakest stations. Their greed has destroyed the industry that has seen several corporates already file for Chapter 11 with more on the way.

Telcom '96 also allowed the cable companies to do as they please, charge whatever they wanted...removed any local say on what is on your teevee. There was never "Fairness" on the cables and outside of any FCC or government regulation.

Yes...the blogosphere has been the great equalizer...allowing individuals to go around the filter and controls of the corporates...as well as Internet radio that is quickly turning into the alternative to the corporates stranglehold on the public airwaves.

[Ardent15]

2. Ah, didn't realize that.

Learned something new today. Thanks.

[KharmaTrain]

5. Plenty To Read About It...

Here's the wiki...and this just scratches the surface. Connect the dots (not very hard) and you'll see how Bill Clinton and Billy Tauzin gave away our public airwaves...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_Act_of_1996

[Greyhound]

3. A prototype for what we might see in politics from now on.

The reich-wing billionaires poured millions into buy up everything and pushing their message for years.

The door is now open for the final consolidation of the parties.
:kick: & R

[madmax]

4. In a nutshell - you nailed it.

"The repeal of the Fairness Doctrine, for one, opened the doors for corporate radio to feed the American people a toxic diet of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, and countless others at the national, state, and local levels."
k&r