Has the media, liberal, conservative or otherwise hijacked our democracy?

Question

Television, print and now the internet has given those who control the flow of information the power to shape public opinion. Public Opinion is forcing the hands of our political leaders and as such unduly influencing the agenda of our ELECTED officials. Who elected the people who control these outlets. Certainly we don't want to give the government "control" of the media but how do we implement measures to ensure that the information the media disperses is done so in a manner that accurately reflects the view point of the population rather than, as it appears, the tail wagging the dog.

Answer 1

I don't think so, I think it is the large corporations, the insurance, oil, medical, ect. lobby's that are destroying our democracy, the media is just trying to report what you want to hear. Whether it be faux or cbs it is just a form of entertainment these days. They all cater to their audience, no more, no less.

Edit: I just want to add that is why it is good to check many sources of information. Somewhere in the cut there is a medium and that is close to where the truth lies. If you just take one word for it you will only see the truth that you want to see. But if you check several spins on the same subject than you may be able to ascertain the truth.

Answer 2

About the only place I try to get real facts from any more is the AP wire. It has more numbers and less opinion. I have also learned to listen to the numbers and testimonies of actual accounts instead of the journalistic views they mix in with the facts. Try it and see you will be a lot better informed and satisfied that you know the truth. You just ignore anything that is not an actual account of a witnessed occurrence or an official number.

Answer 3

Because some people think they are better than other people just because they were born with silverspoon,and their only problems in life are terrorism.Meanwhile they terrorize people with their negligence and incompetance ,everyday. What has the new congress done,but debate on what to debate about.They could really give a damn less about people ,as long as they get their paychecks,the best health/dental care money can buy, the free vacations, cars,whatever else they want to write off.And they leave the ordinary family struggling to make enough to feed their kids and pay the interest off on their house.Most not ever even being able to afford to take their families on vacation or afford healthcare/dental care. Congress just sits back and pretends like they are gonna do something. They should go to hollywood if they are gonna act, and leave the decision making up to people that have experienced the troubles and not someone that pretends to care.

Answer 4

Our constitutional rights were badly eroded with the passage of the Patriot Act. The president has the powers of a dictator. Until the Dems took control of the house, there was no oversight of his powers. The media is controlled by corporations for the most part. C-SPAN is one of the few that just present to the viewers exactly what is going on. As long as corporations fund the politicians and the politicians are beholding to them, we will have government "of the corporations, by the corporations, and for the corporations".

Answer 5

Thank you, someone who thinks clearly. I think that one of the steps in doing so is holding the reporters accountable for an accurate story. And, if someone has leaked information, they should be put on trial.