Why is the U.S. media continuously trying to scare us?
410357
Because that's the kind of news that sells.\n\nNews organizations in a capitalist country (like the U.S.) operate on the market principle. They are trying to make a profit meaning they are trying to be watched/read by the most people they can.  Therefore they need to find a way to grab people's attentions so that they will buy the newspaper or not turn the channel.\n\nThe best way to grab someone's attention is to tell them they are in danger.  The viewer/reader will automatically worry and stick around to see what the danger is, what the source of the danger is and what they can do about it.\n\nThis translates into more sales and more viewers.\n\nSince this is a proven formula for success all media has adopted it in some way or another.
50956
Unfortunatly/fortunatly the US has been so sheltered geographicly and culturaly that the bulk of the population doesn't understand the situation we're in. Consider the level of terrorist activity that exists in Europe, Asia, or Israel. Bombings in England, 3 weeks of COORDINATED rioting in France, rioting in Denmark by muslim extremists too, multiple bombings in Idonesia, Abu sayaf group in phillipines regularly beheading christian missionaries, etc etc etc. Americans being 'sheltered' haven't found the balance between national safety and freedom.\n\n"domestic" spying in this case was on groups and individuals specificly communicating with or tied to acknowledged terrorits organizations. In addition there was a documented authorization process in order to get the 'taps' in the first place. The controvesy is entirely domestic politics. The same people who are outraged by the "spying" will be the same people outraged that the gov't didn't do enough WHEN the next attack occurs on US soil.\n\nTheres a cliche saying "don't confuse the argument with facts". It's all too true. The issue is only debatable when you think with your heart instead of your head. I guess 9/11 wasn't enough to wake them up.
1086950
They are.  They are trying to instill fear to impose their beliefs on the world.  They are trying to "terrorize" the rest of the world to bend it to their will.  While we have committed some mistakes, like those stupid weekend warriors in Abu Grave....  we are not trying to "terrorize" anyone, in fact we are working to bring hope, prosperity and freedom, while looking after our own national interests.  Are we perfect?  No, but our intentions and actions as a whole are sound.  People need to keep things in perspective.  19 men on 9/11 took action to cause terror in our country, they actively tried to kill as many innocent civilians as they could, and as sad as it is, they did a damn good job.  We actively try to keep innocents out of harms way.  Before we went into Falujah, we showered the city with leaflets telling them when we would be coming in, and to stay indoors and out of the fire.  This act put American lives in danger, while protecting the civilians in the city.  People who claim that the military and the Bush administration do not care about lives lost need to consider this and many other actions, and to keep things in perspective.
988909
Because the propoganda is ongoing, and once the damage is done it's almost irrivesible..... it's also because Americans are more stupid the average human.
541501
Evil is as evil is perceived.  As a counselor, I have found that too many people judge the world from their own character faults.  Those who feel the US is evil fear freedom, because it holds them responsible for their own actions.  They fear democracy because the are so unsure of themselves, they cannot believe that others are capable of making wise choices.  Or, they are just so STUPID as to think THEY know it all and therefore ought to be the ones to rule the earth.  Anyway you look at it, anyone who cannot see how well off we are in this country has a whole lot more problems then we can address here.  What really scares me is the attitude of the news media toward democracy.  It affords them all they have, yet they act as if it is the greatest curse we could offer the world.  Let all the news commentators who feel it is foolish to try to give others the opportunity to govern themselves go to Iran, or North Korea, or Darfor.
336843
It is out of fear.  Clearly our tv networks are controlled by big business, and big business controls goverment (lobbiest).  So they (media) will never take on such a story whether it's true or not.  Try reading or watching BBC or some other news agency outside the US for more truthfull reporting.
1166499
Are you guys really that clueless?\nI agree that the media puts it's own swing on it especially during rating time or lack of other doomsday news. but come on have you not realized terrorism is very real and an even bigger deal then you apparently are able to grasp. by no means should we walk around being afraid but waking up and dealing with it would be nice.
1094121
very true....the way the media is trying to print every secret, every strategy...it puts people in danger, and is not stuff that needs to be public information at this time...let the military do their job.
512382
Dismal news is a staple of American television.  Most other places in the world don't follow 'if it bleeds, it leads."  If you believe Marilyn Manson it is because corporate America (the ones who pay the bills at TV stations with advertizing) wants us to be scared.  If we are scared we will consume to aquire protection from what scares us.  If we are scared of burglery then we buy home security systems, if we are scared the girl won't date us we buy cars or zit cream or the "right" clothes, if we are scared of terrorists we will fight a war costing billions of dollars a day.  It is all about fear and if we are afraid we will consume.
530331
because our govenment is cruel and ferocious.  and also, our government likes to terrorize other countries.  but dont worry.  we americans are not like that, only our government, like many other governments.
113939
HaHa.. DJ dun worry.. we aren't talking about it openly you say...\n\nheck coz we are working on it.. damn.. we have a population bomb..\n\nBtW- on a sombre note.. we are quiet knockingly being given examples to the contrary of wat u say, lately.. thanx to the media & information boom..
623992
Hey guys,\n\nI read your comments and agree with most of them, however, since I found this question under the “POLITICS & GOVERNMENT >> IMMIGRATION”, I figured I would stay on subject. \n\nThis is concerning. If history repeats itself (as it usually does) “The Media” can shape norms that provide a strong reaction from the general public, that can eventually motivate many forms of extermination. It can be dangerous when the role of the media is transformed from a neutral purveyor of fact, to a corporate sponsored monster that satisfies the psychotic and pathological appetites of the masses. \n\nThe basis for freedom of press is to PREVENT governments from regulating fact, to impose politically motivated information to the general public, and/or punishing those who surpass those imposed regulations. Disestablishing freedom of thought (via any media type) is the intention of manipulating the media. In today’s news, we are now seeing major corporations taking control of media sources and creating their own precepts and opinions on global and local issues (and yes even personal appearances as stated above). It’s becoming severe.\n\nSo with the oxymoron of freedom of press that we have in this country (and most others) the responsibility falls on the people to sift through the information provided and expose these tendencies. It is OUR responsibility to prevent these influences on the media that can lead to bogus information on very important matters like……Immigration Reform and the present situation our country is facing with the Mexican border. I doubt we will ever know the real issues by watching just the news. We can however guarantee the opinions we have are based upon what CNN or MSNBC has stated as fact.\n\nI suggest reading newspaper articles from other countries on these issues, and using the internet to understand Immigration Law and the legal ramifications of building an  armed wall to keep them out (or if you really think about it.......keep us in!) \n\nBe good guys.\nIt was nice talking with ya.\n\nThanks,\nAndre M
477497
It is so important to be informed.  You can't make decisions based on the junk that is shoved at you from every media angle.  Every news station has an agenda, and they know what demographic is watching, and what they want to hear.  It's all about ratings for them.  This is why you need to be in the know yourself.  It is a responsibility we all have as Americans, and alot of people fought very hard to maintain this, the very least we can do is care about the land in which we live enough to involve ourselves in its betterment.
1010462
I'm open to all answers. mainly because USA tend to use "magic tricks" when it comes to politics. If there are something that might hurt the governments trustworthiness, there is suddenly a big crisis somewhere. It is not so difficult to put peoples focus away from what really is happening to something that is more interesting. Like seeing the picture of the devil in the smoke from a fire.\n\nThrust no government.
21688
Love your country, distrust your government.  "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety," Benjamin Franklin.  The US Patriot Act is very very unpatriotic.  It literally strips away your Constitutional Rights.  Hitler burned the Reichstag building when he became Chancelor.  Then blamed it on Poland.  The Bush Administration caused 911 to happen and then they blamed Afganistan and Iraq.  The media is completely saturated with propaganda.  Currently, the United States is run by a military industrial complex and most Americans are blind to that.  Many people say you shouldn't believe what you read on the internet, but it's the internet that has complete and total freedom to communicate the truth and what's really going on.  All other media is controlled and propagated.  Do the research.  Find the truth.  We must take our county back from these treasonous "leaders."
596172
Because whether people want to admit it or not, the American media plays an ENORMOUS role in how we perceive ourselves, and the world.  Watching millions of repetitive images daily via advertising (print and television); television shows; movies; magazines, and news (print and television)...all of these mediums combine to shape our images of who we are and our place in this world.  We get a sense of "normalcy" by our lives matching what we like on TV. That's why most Americans strive to be the nuclear family: two parents, two kids and a dog, and a nice house with a white picket fence.  \n\nSame is true with foreigners.  Our media tells us that the U.S. is one of the few developed countries in the world.  When we see images of Africa, we see naked people running around with flies on their eyes, starving and living in huts.  I have known many Africans from many different countries in Africa (North, South, East and West), and NOT ONE of them lived in those type of conditions, and I asked every, single one of them how they lived.  They laughed when I told them my images of their native lands.\n\nArabs are abstract to Americans, too.  Thanks to 9/11, now Arabs are almost synonamous with terrorism (and camels and sand).\n\nForeigners see lots of America thanks to the export of our movies, so our lifestyles aren't that foreign to others.  However, the media even twists what our reality is.  Many foreigners think we are all rich, which is bullcrap.  \n\nI think if the media were more honest, people would have a better, more accurate understanding of the world, but they aren't, so we don't.
529900
They are open now but if the paranoid Americans will ever stop being so paranoid they might learn something other than what your very propagandized news media is saying. \nI am tired of this argument being brought forward everyday by total idiots.