Managing The News, Media analysis

Essay by jryanCollege, UndergraduateA+, April 2004

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Managing the News

Isn't it possible, perhaps even likely, that the mega corporations that run the media will find that the highest profits are obtained by best satisfying their audiences, thus putting all of us (collectively) in the driver's seat-being given the sort of news coverage we most prefer? And if so, isn't that all for the good? So why worry about the concentration of media power that has been taking place lately?

People are ignorant to what events are important and how they affect us. People respond to news that is unimportant to there own lives. If this weren't true why would I know so much about J-LO or the Lacy Peterson trial? As mentioned in the reading the masses find more interest in pseudoscience then science, in other words fact under fiction. And let's not forget shock entertainment value. For some reason people are fascinated by the most violent and horrific events presented no matter how trivial, i.e.

car chases, bank robberies, inner city murders, and rape. Not to say that these matters are completely trivial but are definitely over publicized and don't hold much bearing in our lives. So it appears, unfortunately, that mega corporations are giving us the news we are asking for and respond to. Coincidentally these trivial, fictional, and shocking matters keep the publics' attention off of the corporate scandals and government corruption that truly does affect us. I believe if we were to revolt and turn off our TV's news broadcasters would have no choices but to conform and report on matters that are actually tangible. Which means (collectively) we are in the "driver seat" we just aren't sophisticated enough to drive.

If the mass public knew what is tangible, wanted it, and got it the public awareness would bring about revolution and...