Observations of the spectrum of TV programming choices and related propaganda or bias, or otherwise during January - March 2011: the 'revolutions', and Japanese 9.0 earthquake and tsunami and nuclear aftermath, and the role of the left.
Just so it's handy, here's this link. MISINFORMATION
-- for full transparency, I am in no way associated with Alex Jones, but I'd claim Beck as someone who follows 'my' thinking, once he got up to speed on islamism.
In general, we have the following continuum on current events, with BBC being the most conservative (not 'unbiased') and Russia Today (RT) being the most 'radical' (or, from my point of view, the most challenging entertaining and informative, in terms of the obvious play of the propaganda hand. Most instructive are the most egregious.)
Al Jazeera probably throws most casual observers off, who either don't watch and assume and thus dismiss it as 'just propaganda'; AJ is slick and very professional organization. RT is perhaps the most vigilant watchdog type media (just not so much for Russia itself; but if you want to hear about how America is 'pathetic', this is it -- and you should know what this channel provides freely to households around the world, courtesy of Russian State.):
- BBC has been notably the most reticent and conservative in down playing the nuclear risks. Had a ridiculous online 'interaction' segment with twits, one out of three which connected and had any relevance. Gives 'benefit of doubt' in most instances. Looked to be struggling with the event and how to place in context. May be conflict of interest between owner/UK?/implications. The overall tone is somber reassessment of likelihood that nuclear energy will eventually cause a disaster.
- First observations subsequent to the Japanese nuclear involvement was how RT handled the story, with the most egregious possibilities repeated if not exaggerated. RT has provided, on quick demand, new mini-documentaries about the situation and background, including Chernobyl and the human failure involved there.
- CNN (International version) is similarly conservative or slow to confirm any announcement, but occasionally includes more provocative language. Includes several personal contacts. Tends to self-reference overall (i.e., asks or shows in various ways 'how is CNN doing this'.)
- 'Experts' are notably from the progressive professional educated elite, aka socialists green advocates, yet the overall tone is somber reassessment of likelihood that nuclear energy will eventually cause a disaster.
- SKY Australia is covering regularly with some focus on Australians and personal contact. (Labor vs Liberal is adding competition to the 'story'.)
- FOX - range of coverage. Did not leave the sensational out, but had a variety of horror scenarios and caution. Mixed.
- Al Jazeera, as usual, is professional and in control of the story, driving it to context and likelihood of disaster. Good and unique interviews with various subject matter experts. Head of AJ spoke recently about events and provided sane analysis.
- Russia Today; classic in Russian propaganda; every story somehow ends up with how America is pathetic or probably to blame, along with Israel. Most sensational in implications and possibilities. A must watch.
POINT: Watch how quickly a group moves to assert implications, blame, or craft their 'theme question'.
What was missing: Context.
Part of news is driven inexorably by 'events', the new and shocking and unusual. Disasters therefore are nuclear fuel rods for 'news'; whether that news agency is supported by advertising or support by corporations OR taxpayer funds to an unaccountable bureaucracy run by the State. Same result: use the crisis to keep attention on events.
This is not all negative.
However, any American (of any nationality!) will note that the 'watchdog' function of the press is obviously compromised by either of these outlets: Corporate or Statist media.
Question for some comes down to 'who do you trust more', but for most, it is "which one is more interesting to me at the moment and are telling me what I want to hear, and be similarly shocked or entertained by?"
In this continuum: If you are of the belief (or conviction) that Nuclear Energy is the bane of the world, and you want to see (the West's) swords beaten into ploughshares, then Russia Today and AJ and CNN will fulfill this. On the upside, the socialist utopian hope of earth-based tribal communes should come to fruit if the editorial bias regarding energy policies are preferred by humanity over the long term.
The SKY channels (FOX) are diverse in opinion and as adequate as any in providing facts and some coverage. The projected expectations sometimes come off as hyped, and sometimes as downplayed, with neither egregious doomsday scenarios nor the underlying assumption that FOX (in contrast to CNN) is becoming an advocacy group.
In this regard, CNN may be regretting these Big News weeks, as it makes a somewhat inefficient rollout of their new role as the team who will help stop Sex Slavery --
While a very necessary thing to stop (like piracy), and a very titilating SEXUAL subject, especially with the repeated promo of "girls, 8, 9, 10 years old, being sold into sexual slavery ...", it somewhat fails to mark CNN as a journalistic outlet, nor as having their priorities straight when the Middle East is imploding, if not apparently, as many nuclear reactors as one can find on the planet.
And remember, the 'worst disaster in US niclear history', three mile island.
Right, no one died.
IF the goal is to ensure 'no harm comes to anyone ever' -- then certainly one of the more effective means of accomplishing this is to ban all people from living below 30 feet of sea level.
that's for a start.
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