Why do journalists tell people what to think?

Question

Can't we just watch an interview and make up our own minds?
Or is that too dangerous for "democracy"?

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/24/politics/main3292477.shtml

Answer 1

That is why Dan Rather got fired

Answer 2

Rush Limbaugh, Anne Coulter, and Sean Hannity are not what one would call journalists. They seem to be the ones telling people what to think. Main stream journalists identify oped as such otherwise they just report the news.

Human nature is to have others think as we do. If given the opportunity to be in the position of the journalists you are thinking of wouldn't you take advantage of the opportunity to try and convert others to your way of thinking? It is not dangerous for democracy at all. Different journalists are saying different things. Some will belive one journalist others will believe another one. There are even some sick people who believe the mouths on conservative hate radio and Fox noise. At one time no one could own more than a few media outlets but now people like Rupert Murdoch can own the whole world if he likes. That has caused real journalism to suffer but it is still not telling people how to think unless they listen only to one source and that would be stupid to do with all that are available.

Answer 3

The mainstream journalists you see on TV are under the thumb of the government and everyone knows it. Things are not reported that should be. Here's a great example. Did you know that a federal judge said the US government doesn't have to answer to the people of the US even though it's in the CONSTITUTION? It happened! Things like that happen all the time and we never hear about it. You should check out sites like We The People Network. They give you a whole different look at the news!

Answer 4

It is too dangerous to have an opinion. "Democracy" doesn't want people who carry opinion. Just sheeps that follow the "correct" opinion.
The journalists.... they get paid to do that. It's an honest motive in the corporate world.

Answer 5

They used to do that. Now there is too much money involved, hence all the sensationalist stories and the oppresively extreme coverage of celebrities. There are some that don't but it is rare. In their defense, it is truly hard to be completely unbiased because even what they choose to show and what they don't is considered biased.

Answer 6

The persons who you refer to as journalists have long ago left that mantle and became propagandists. Since the are the power elite and have a greater understanding of world events than we do, it is their burden and responsibility to tell us what we know and how to think.

Answer 7

Unfortunately, you find this in broadcast journalism a LOT, in addition to many, many, grammatical errors that should not be written or spoken by someone who claims to be a professional. Best advice is to buy a reputable newspaper or news magazine and get your facts there.

Answer 8

In his lectures, Sam Donaldson says:

"If you don't interject your opinion into every report in one way or the other, you have wasted everyone's time"

I can't imagine anything more arrogant than a talking head insisting that we sit through their opinions.

Answer 9

How else do the Liberals get the "word" out? The mail is to slow with e-mail, internet, and cable T.V..

Answer 10

I know what you mean, it happens all the time on FAUX news. We watch it here at home for comedy entertainment sometimes; just don't take it seriously.