Should the Media PROFIT off Americas Misfortunes?

Answer 1

They're the scum of the Earth.

Answer 2

The media profits from others' misfortunes because "we the people" crave sensationalism, which the media has crammed down our throats for decades. But then, look at all those others who profit from others' misfortunes:
Lawyers take advantage of people every day, charging exorbitant $200-an-hour fees for filling in the blanks on a boilerplate contract;
Employers pay employees minimum wage and make millions off the backs of these low-incomed workers just because the U.S. Congress allows them to do so;
WalMart and other huge food/department store chains deliberately 'lowball' prices on a few items, then mark-up the rest of their merchandise, knowing that customers will buy on impulse. Snack food companies and soft drink manufacturers intentionally sell "giant size" portions of their products knowing that consumers will gobble them up just as fast as they will the "regular size" portions;
Doctors profit from those in pain and agony without blinking an when charging $15,000 for a few hours' work in the O.R.;
Psychiatrists profit from those suffering severe depression, chronic alcoholism, or complete mental breakdowns;
Pharmaceutical companies overprice their prescription drugs because they know desperately ill people have to have them, just as a heroin dealer knows his junkie is addicted to the 'stuff' he sells;
Politicians suck off the taxpayers' teat without conscience just because they know they can get away with it and a gullible public will sit back and do nothing to change our corrupt political system;
The massive military-industrial complex in this country rakes in billions of dollars in profits by encouraging - and helping to start - military actions all over the world without any regard for the lives that are lost in 'war';
Cigarette manufacturers purposely manufacture a product that they know kills people, and intentionally try to get youngsters 'hooked' so they can earn bigger profits;
Oil companies gouge their customers at the pump, knowing full well that everyone needs gasoline to get to work, and knowing they'll pay whatever they have to fuel their gas-guzzling SUVs.
So who doesn't take advantage of others' misfortunes in this country? Nurses are about the only truly compassionate people I can think of right off the top of my head; they work long, hard hours for relatively little pay, and can often do everything a damn doctor does (without the compensation). -RKO-

Answer 3

If you want to know about it, and they tell you about it, then they deserve to make money from doing that.
When people are not interested, there is no value to their reporting; so I don't feel they are "scum" anymore than the people who demand the information they supply.
Turn the channel, don't buy the product advertised (that's where they make the money, not from you), complain to the network or sponsor, or don't buy the paper.

People have power, but they tend to not use it, only complain.

Answer 4

Of Course not! But nowadays who doesn't "PROFIT" from others misfortunes.
Look at:
INSURANCE COMPANIES
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
OIL COMPANIES
CEO'S of any Comapany
REAL ESTATE
PHARMACEUTICALS
MOVIE STARS
SPORTS PROFESSIONALS
Just anyone who has outrageous fees and has no conscience, and justifies it, or who earns outrageous wages.
It is really sick when it is a necessity, and hard-working people are losing everything because of evil greed.

Answer 5

In a Capitalist society, all is potential profit.

I'm sensing from your questions that you don't live in the real world.....

Answer 6

NO, but by golly, misfortune sells, doesn't it?

Answer 7

no but they do
they feed off of everything of interest