Pundit TV - O'Reilly, Hannity, Olbermann, et al. Have they formed our opinions for us? The danger I see is that TV is now too one-way; there is little to no consideration or input from the populace before they put their opinions on the air. Does anyone else find this troubling?
2007-09-24 03:57:16 · 16 answers · asked by El Duderino 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
I wouldn't say it's eliminated it for everyone, but it has for a large percentage of the population. Equally troubling is the way a similarly large number of people believe everything they read on the Internet. There is a growing number of web sites even more biased than the pundits you mentioned, and people quote these as if they're the gospel truth, without knowing anything about the crackpots who posted these rants.
2007-09-24 04:45:04 · answer #1 · answered by ConcernedCitizen 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Don't leave out pundit radio and pundit journalism, either.
But it's not really the problem, as I see it. Biased sources of news have been around since the first town crier plied his trade.
The biggest part of the problem is that people choose to not see that the vast majority of news outlets are biased, that bias exists not only on the editorial pages and by commentators, but can also be found in a careful reading of the news articles, too.
The second problem is that people do not take the time to wonder if they're only being told part of the story, or if the reporter or pundit is using unverified or unsubstantiated information because it supports a viewpoint they agree with.
It is the news report or the information from a pundit that seem to most support our views and refute our opponents that are the ones we most need to check for accuracy, because those are the ones most likely to lead us astray.
If something comes along that is unverified by other sources, and is only from unidentified sources of some sort, then one should question its veracity, and should consider it as mere rumor until there is more solid proof it occurred.
2007-09-24 11:22:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you in the sense that critical thinking seems to be on the decline. Considering that TV viewing is a 'passive' rather than an 'active' process, I see the pundits as more the by-product of a passive media form than the cause. That said, I do find it troubling that when we are passive participants in the shaping of our opinions, we hand over self-responsibility and self-power in the process. This gives the pundits way too much power and where there's 'too much power' concentrated in the media, there's a corresponding 'too little power' with the individual.
2007-09-24 11:23:16 · answer #3 · answered by sagacious_ness 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Only if your source are the same pundits. Often these people do carry a satirical message, even if it is one-sided. If you listen to several of these sources you get a decent picture of reality. They're not really information so much as entertainment, but I think it's important to see how an issue is presented to a particular side.
2007-09-24 11:16:33 · answer #4 · answered by Pfo 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
TV has not eliminated critical thinking. I know that I am watching an opinionated show and I can agree or disagree. However, some opinionated hows are passed off as news and that is where you have to draw the line. I'll use FOX as an example. When I watch Shep Smith I know I'm getting the factual news, but when I watch John Gibson I know that he is a conservative and will put his opinion on it. The same thing with CNN, when I see Wolf Blitzer I can trust I'm getting factual news, but Dobbs is putting his spin on it.
2007-09-24 11:06:38 · answer #5 · answered by civil_av8r 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Yes... I do. Troubling to say the least. I find it appalling that so many people buy into the “Red / Blue State” thing and can’t understand that it’s a media myth.
It's funny how even the mention of Fox news draws out the nut cases on both sides foaming at the mouth.
2007-09-24 11:13:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Yes , because people are tunning in and actually think they are getting news .
How about reports on where the money goes .
An in depth evening report on your tax dollars at work .
This show will never be on the air because the media is controlled and owned by the same people who decide who will be the next president .
We no longer report facts and information without comment biased in one direction or the other .
2007-09-24 11:04:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 10⤊ 1⤋
Yes yes yes. O'reilly is the worst in my opinion.. He is presented with facts, and instead of presenting facts to counter someone he resorts to name calling. He is a jerk to say the least. Thank goodness we have the internet for now, and we can find credible news. We can't trust our controlled media society to tell us the truth about anything important. They should just start singing people lullabies to deepen their sleep.
2007-09-24 11:09:19 · answer #8 · answered by jessica m 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
No, but it's helped. The real culprit is the disappearance of good journalism and the consolidation of mass media into the hands of a few people with an axe to grind.
2007-09-24 11:02:49 · answer #9 · answered by aalbe003 2 · 9⤊ 0⤋
Maybe for bored housewives who feel its their only connection to the outside world. But mostly I blame reality TV and celebrity obsession news.
2007-09-24 11:00:17 · answer #10 · answered by The President 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋