Re: How To Be An American


"DGDevin" <dgdevin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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"Elvis Kabong" <ampscience@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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The media is *supposed* to be public service since it is one
business protected by the Constitution, just like the public
airwaves are supposed to by law licensed to broadcasters
at no cost other than to provide some air time for the public
service of reporting news events without bias.

That's an interesting view but I suspect you'd have a tough time finding
legal backup for it. Religion is protected by the Constitution too, but
it isn't supposed to be a public service.

Actually, it IS supposed to be. That's part of their purpose in life.
And that's why religions are tax exempt.

Nor do I think you could find much support for the view that a broadcasting
license comes with a condition of reporting the news "without bias."

Well, later on the Fairness Doctrine was instituted.

Maybe it should be that way however, but how do you enforce it?

True competition and watch dogs.

The instant you set up a govt. board or agency to regulate the media the
whole notion of a free press goes out the window.

But if it's profit-driven, it's not really a free press and not really a
press,
but instead an agenda driven advertising outlet. And when it becomes a
media monopoly, it will be mind control.

I'd say that's
not a whole lot to ask for. Since the press is *now* profit-
driven (thanks to Ronnie Raygump) instead of a public
service, look at what they report - race results and
campaign strategies instead of what the candidates say
they stand for.

The press has operated for profit since it's beginning, Orson Welles'
famous scene in Citizen Kane about losing a million dollars a year on his
paper notwithstanding, nobody *tries* to operate a newspaper at a loss.
And if you're looking for Presidents to blame for the state of the media
don't forget Clinton, he signed the legislation allowing the runaway media
consolidation we've seen in the past decade, remember?

But it did start with Ronnie Raygump's removal of the Fairness Doctrine.

There's also the issue of whether people should make an effort to be
informed or just sit on their couch and watch whatever the networks
spoon-feed them. I make a point of checking out the BBC, PBS, various
news websites and magazines including some from outside the U.S., from
National Review to The New Republic, it isn't real difficult. If most
people won't lift a finger to find out what's going one then whose fault
is that? Americans tend to be overweight too, but nobody holds a gun on
them and forces them to shove cheeseburgers into their faces, personal
responsibility is still in effect last time I checked. There's that old
line about people getting the government they deserve, maybe it applies to
the news media too.

There's still nothing wrong with the media performing a public service
in exchange for a free license along with Constitutional protection of
its freedoms to publish anything critical of the government or someone
in government without censorship.

Then there's the fluff, the pablum, the gossip
and tittilation "news" instead of real issues that affect our
lives directly or indirectly.

Yeah, that stuff sickens me, it's depressing to think of millions of
people following the antics of Paris Hilton and all the other celebrity
losers like that crap matters, it's pathetic.

Yeah, remember the "boxers or briefs" question like being aware
of that "important" information would save the lives of MILLIONS
on the planet?


.

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