Are all voices given an equal opportunity to be heard? I've heard people complain that their views are seldom or never represented in mainstream media.
2006-07-11 17:07:02 · 6 answers · asked by ? 3 in News & Events ➔ Media & Journalism
While you have freedom to voice your opinion, you do not have the freedom to have your voice amplified to society at no charge. There is a difference between 'freedom' and 'free'.
You have the freedom to buy as nice of a house, car, vacation, clothes or whatever that you can afford. But none of these things are free.
Likewise, you have the freedom to voice your opinion about anything you want. However, in our society, unless you have a medium to amplify your voice (you are on the air, write for a newspaper, have access to people who have this access and are sympathetic to your position, or have the money to advertise or otherwise promote your position), it is likely that your views will be underrepresented.
The mainstream media is, whether they like it or not, in the business of selling their media by getting as big an audience as it can and then selling the advertising space. Ultimately, views on the fringes of society are not things that promote the value of or the size of the audience. So, in the case of these for-profit, privately held companies, you cannot demand that they amplify what they believe to be fringe views in the name of 'freedom of the press' (although there are people in the news areas who definitely try to promote their own personal biases while still balancing out the need to have news and opinion that is saleable).
What is possible is that anyone with a point of view can start a newsletter, magazine, or even newspaper, and circulate it to as many people that have interest in commentary from that viewpoint. As a viewpoint becomes more mainstream, larger media outlets will find it more newsworthy and start to cover it.
The internet has given us the greatest possible means to distribute our voice in the history of mankind. I can sit and tap out a few paragraphs on my keyboard regarding my opinion, and those thoughts will be available to be read by people all over the nation, continent and world. The only limit is in how many people are actually interested in reading my comments. But now, there is no printing, mailing, or production costs to voicing your opinion. You are free to express yourself through the internet in pretty much whatever way you want (OK, you're not free to try to round up 10 co-conspirators and blow up a building, but by and large, you have the freedom to say what you want).
2006-07-11 17:24:31 · answer #1 · answered by LA_kinda_guy 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
something of the international are starting up to renowned what we the folk of the united kingdom were preserving considering this pathetic human being crept via the lower back door to take the identify of excellent Minister. possibly the american Press are taking his "i don't recognize what i'm doing" body of recommendations slightly too extreme. lets have suggested an similar about the U. S. even as they so openly supported the IRA,yet we kept our loyalties because it somewhat is this style of people we are. with slightly of success by skill of this time next 3 hundred and sixty 5 days this embarrassing good Minister can were made redundant and kicked the position it hurts.
2016-12-10 08:18:16 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The public doesn't need to know everything. Sorry to burst your bubble. But speaking from a millitary side, some things are top secret, like when the press spilled about who was a TOP CIA agent. That's a matter of National Security. Believe me, if it got leaked that the millitary knew where Sadam Hussien was and was about to attack, do you think we would have still caught him and have in custody today? No! Though u are in the millitary w/ a top clearance, we still have a saying"Do u have a need to know? If not, you dont get access even though you have clearance. The same thing should apply to the press. Spilling info the the enyme in the press is like SHOOTING ourselves in the foot!
2006-07-11 17:15:04 · answer #3 · answered by My name is MJ Beatch! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A free press doesn't mean it is an unbiased or even obliged to give equal time to dissenting views.
Free press doesn't mean free from bias or spin.
It means free from government control, like the people of the US. The people are free, but free from government control, not free from bias, prejudice and dissenting opinions.
Freedom of the press means being able to start your own newspaper or TV telecast and have your opinion heard just as much as all others.
2006-07-11 17:11:22 · answer #4 · answered by Ken C. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The press usually just report what is handfed to them by the goverment, no lie, intern at a local newstation. YOur local authorities release news releases and most time the news reads straight off the sheet. ANytime they dont, republicans call them LIBS and anti american, except when president clinton got caught fore getting some head, then its investigative reporting...RIGHT CONTURDS??????????
2006-07-11 17:12:49 · answer #5 · answered by Thumbs Up Fairy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's so right winged.
2006-07-11 17:12:36 · answer #6 · answered by Aussie Chick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋