Could the American media be compared to the old Soviet Pravda news?

Answer 1

Do you mean in the context of their slavish deference to official government sources? Are you implying that the American media spend a disproportionate amount of time providing distraction through celebrity and sports news rather than reporting critically on issues of substantial importance to the average person?

If this is what you're suggesting in your question, then yes, the news media could be compared to Pravda. As we all know, Pravda was informed by government propaganda and ultimately, was nothing more than an organ for the Kremlin.

Mainstream, corporate American media serves government and corporate interests just as faithfully, reporting stories simply based on what unnamed sources say without doing any of the background or investigative work that good journalism demands.

In the case of New York Times reporter Judith Miller, the Bush administration was able to feed her all sorts of speculative, not to mention outright false, stories which she dutifully reported. The national press went right along with it, repeating Miller's accounts.

The Bush administration, understanding the systematic constraints of the news media (maintaining high-level access, reliance on advertising dollars, corporate ownership, etc.) combined with a national mood of sorrow and outrage, knew they could manipulate the media to support the government's agenda.

Which it did - not just on the news pages but on the editorial pages as well.

Answer 2

It's worse be live it or not. In Soviet Russia at least everybody was aware that Pravada was state owned media, heavily censored and there for took it for what it was, Propaganda. Our corporate media is also propaganda but fewer people are aware and are under the delusion of a free, fair, objective and balanced press. The soviets used to tune into foreign press to find out the true stat of affairs.
Here you can usually get a pretty good idea by reading the financial pages, after all a good capitalist must know what is really going on to do business...Mary

Answer 3

No way. Pravda was totally controlled by the Soviet communist party. Editors were members of the Politburo. American media has the freedom to set editorial policy, and to support, defend or denounce any current event on the table. The US has some media outlets that slant to the right or to the left. That's a good sign that there is no total agreement among them on the issues. If there was 100% satisfaction or agreement on anything cultural or political, then we'd have reason to really worry.

Answer 4

I don't know what the Soviet Proda News is, but I do know this: the American media is trying to convert us to the same type of communism that the Soviets had for 73 years! The push to destroy American Capitalism and American values started with the founding of the ACLU in the 1920's by communist Roger Baldwin, and that push took a position of authority in the late 60's, when our media turned on Vietnam.

The media is almost as evil as the terrorists we are fighting overseas!

Answer 5

Both different - (1) Pravda (government controlled), American media (government influenced). They all want their feet in the door, and will say anything to get in.

Answer 6

Absolutely. But its much less flagrant than Pravda was. Except for Fox News. Fox is pure, unashamed propaganda. The others try to hide it a little bit, but theyre all the same. There is no variety. When a story breaks, its always the same one you hear about, in the same words, from the same point of view with almost nothing changing at all.

Answer 7

Hip hip hooray you got it pal! someone recognizes the BS?
And yet Russia still prints propaganda about Putin or he will have you assassinated! He assassinated Gorbechev's female Partner in a magazine that was published against Putin and 3 months ago she was assassinated 2 blocks from her house in Moscow? Gorbechev is hiding in Yugo right now!

Answer 8

that's in elementary words one guy's opinion..... your governemnt won't be able to recognize each and every thing that is going on everywhere (idea they do attempt).... Watch BBC or CBC for really more desirable impartial information

Answer 9

I do not think so. The media is profit driven. I do realize they sway public opinion but I think they are swayed by it more than it by them.

Answer 10

Only conservative talk radio and FOX news. Thank you for pointing this out.