What if most people no longer trusted the main stream media?

[Cyrano]

Most people still get all their news from NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, or MSNBC. About 11% of the population still reads newspapers, but even if they read the NY Times, or Washington Post, they still aren't getting the news.

To find out what's really happening in the world, one needs to either read the foreign press, or follow the more reputable blogs. And those who do in this country are still a minority.

So what to do? Tell everyone you possibly can that they're not being informed. Yeah, yeah, I know. They'll think you're a flake. Nonetheless, we have to work day in and day out to convince them that they're being conned, lied to, and misinformed.

I have neighbors who aren't on line and I constantly print out articles for them on what the main stream media doesn't tell them. They're often skeptical, but I just keep it coming. At some point, denial isn't an option.

The fascists currently control all the levers of power in this country. We have to make the vast majority understand what's happening. Will it change anything? I don't know. If you have any better suggestions, let's hear them.

[LifeDuringWartime]

1. when that happens

it will be too late

[Deja Q]

2. And how do we do that?

Many people say internet news is rubbish.

Foreign news is irrelevent because we're in America.

It would take a HUGE story that was proven false to even make a small dent. And with so few corporations controlling so MANY media sources, they can say the same thing - literally word for word - and the people will happily swallow it.

[kuozzman]

3. If Ohio gets switched, that would help

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. that my friend is a big IF

now if that happens though the scandal....

Oh sorry what scandal, nothing to see here.

Don't mind me I am in one of those really foul moods... really foul mood.... like watching a relative die and unable to do a damn thing bout it

[nookiemonster]

5. Alot of the problem is time.

I have friends that have the family stuff to deal with and that is not conducive to getting good information. They only catch the soundbytes from radio, cable, and network tv.

Hell, they don't even read the paper anymore.

Of course, in my case, it's just the cat and I. I spend ALOT of time paying attention to everything. Or try to, anyway. :silly:

[Cyrano]

6. Response to #1 & #2.

Oh, okay. I'm sorry. Let's just lay down and die.

I repeat. If you have any better options, let's hear them.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. No, Cyrano, you're right

One thing I do is listen to what people are saying in conversation. Then I say things like, "Well, I check out news sources from around the world to get a more balanced view. After all, what's happening in Iraq is based not only what Americans see and read, but what folks from other countries see and read." This makes them start thinking, and then I can interject ideas from other sources.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. It may be happening

the Right HATES the Lib'ral Media

Many of us don't trust the RIght Wing Megaphones and are NO LONGER watching


(Funy they are the same, but shhh, don't tell anyone)

It is happeneing, now we need to give people alternatives

Air America anyone?

Also more and more people wnat the Fiarness doctrine back, So ask for that from your reps, actually demand it

[rniel]

8. all I ever hear

when I'm trying to cite some examples of bad crap going on and I have to tell them I first heard it on the internet the first thing they say is why haven't I heard this on the mainstream news. I just want to scream.

[AnIndependentTexan]

10. then we become the media!

[Cyrano]

11. Not sure what you mean, but we'll never become the media.

Nor should any handful of corporate entities be the media.

The media should be a world-wide, non-integrated entity that presents a wide variety of news to the people of planet earth. But every element of this entity must be held accountable to back up their news with proof that is widely accepted by competitors and independent sources (not to mention nay sayers).

On edit: It's past time to start replacing propaganda with at least some semblance of reality. And where better to start than on the net?

[FM Arouet666]

12. We have a problem here

With the loss of the fairness doctrine, control of the nations information outlets has become consolidated into an increasingly smaller group of companies. The majority of television, radio and news print has been seized by corporate America, generally sensitive to the republican agenda. I would not be surprised to see action taken against the Internet, the last bastion of independent information. FCC regulation of the net? Wager a guess as to what sites would be censored?

[Cyrano]

13. The fairness doctrine won't be overturned while the thugs are in power.

However, I think they'll have a major problem trying to regulate the net. It's worldwide, and while they might pass laws that you can't pull up specified sites, they'd have a really tough time enforcing it.

But let's say they could pull this off. At some point, Europe, India, Japan, and even China would recognize the threat that we present to the world and would possibly unite in an economic boycott of the good ole US of A.

[Ima]

14. I wish

they would bring back fairness doctrine. Things would be a lot different.

[FM Arouet666]

15. I know, I'm an alarmist

In fact I was in China just a few months ago, and they have really cracked down on Internet cafes. However, you can access the net without a problem. I tested this with my sister-in-law's computer and reached all sorts of anti-China, pro-US and pro-Taiwan sites. I guess I should give her a call, she may be in a gulag. :evilgrin: