Isn't it great that public opinion managed to back down rupert murdoch and oj simpson!?
814869
I'm relieved for the Goldman and Brown families. Finally, a little sanity triumphs over crass exploitation and $$$.
1021533
The news media wields far less power than they (or we) think. They thought if they told us we hate Bush enough, we might start to believe it. They had Bush trounced in the last election.\nIt turns out their version of the truth is far from it. I think you'll find Bush has a lot more support today than the media would like you to believe.
1064191
Doing the right thing is not always interesting to people. They want the dirt and sleazy stories. All of you that disagree with me should ask the tv stations, newspapers, radio stations, advertisers and any other media companies. They are not making all that money by selling the sweet stories. It is on the smutty and nasty stories. The only way we can change it as a society is to quit buying or watching these stories.
319000
I think that there's a good 70 percent of America that are totally naive when it comes to the issues... any issues... they start voting on things like "I heard this guys a flip-flopper" or "I think he's a pansy" with no real reason to back any of it up... it's all just a big PR campain, it's not about what is going on, it's about what you can make people think is going on... like if you say Iraq is linked to terrorism, they are going to buy it, they don't care if you can prove it... because they are too lazy to look into it...
799823
Common sense should have told those executives at FOX that people would not go for that. They were thinking about making money and not about the impact of the process.  That Simpson should have been convicted and sentenced to death for killing Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman. The whole thing is a travesty of justice just like with Robert Blake and the Bonnie Bakely murder.
935808
Rupert and Fox will lose because people are sick of that absurd lie that they are fair and balanced. Please. What a bunch of 'tards. Have you ever seen a news station (propaganda channel) with more ugly, old white men with sticks up their azzes that need to get laid? What a bunch of nerds.
518603
by media do you mean something serious like FT or Herald Tribune??? I doubt many americans read either of those.\nAre they brainwashed by media like Fox and USA today? Probably...but i wouldn't even call those two "media"...
328461
Everyone has a bias.  For some reason, reporters seem to be the only ones that won't own up to it.\n\nFrom the stories they cover and the words they choose, I would generally agree that they "spin to the left."
962096
There are a lot of closed-minded people in the world. They want people to hear their opinion, but don't have time for others. It really is a shame, because its not just "everyday people" who act like this, but politicians - all across the spectrum - that do as well.
779846
Unfortunately that is the way it's done these days, he who controls the media, controls the public. The scarier fact is that both parties are equally corrupt, the people say that they voted for change, but we will see that nothing will.
1018467
Yes, it's a way to maintain authority. Politics, corporations, and media want to keep a stranglehold on their authority statuses thus all three professions ignore the facts to promote themselves.
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
31088
The "truth" is very subjective and usually a lot more complicated than the media pundits and headline readers would lead you to believe.  Print media in general does a better job of being thorough.  Your best bet is to get your news from multiple sources and critically evaluate as best you can what you are being told and by whom.
123958
I actually think the media has much more of a conservative slant.  Considering that most main-stream media is owned by giant corporations, this is not surprising.\n\nMay I ask how you manage to fit so much information into your questions without going into the additional details?
770412
They are tough on SOME 'crimes' like little old ladies who can't pay their council tax bills etc!!....they try to be tough on others....like taking a retailler to court (Costing over 1/4 million of tax payers money) because he was selling the wrong colour 'jelly babies'!! and of course spending over 5 times that much trying to stop us having free speech in this country!!... So if you look at that side, the answer is a resounding YES!!! However, if you then look at the otherside of the coin...Murderers, rapists, terrorists etc!! they can't do enough to help them, they get cushy cells, AND early release to commit again!! Is that justice??? According to 'Blair and co' yes!!
73619
The sad thing is, most of us do not care about their views, but other countries see their views as America's views as a whole, since they are in the media spotlight....scary isn't it?
805158
I think that people believe in conspiracy theories because they crave excitement. The reason that there is more talk about these ideas now is there is more media available. People seem to want to be the first to "know" what happened. What was the cause, the effect and the idea behind certain events. We thrive on "bad" news in particular. If we didn't, then the evening news wouldn't be nearly as interesting as it is for some. I do watch the news (some) but, it has gotten almost boring in that it is the same old same old all the time. I do like a good novel though so good luck in your endeavor, perhaps I will read a book by you one day.