Active Users:1064 Time:14/11/2024 11:01:15 PM
Well, welcome to popular media Isaac Send a noteboard - 25/10/2011 06:38:37 PM
Where exactly each network or news anchor stands on the left/right axis is a genuine concern, though pretty secondary to the big problem, which is that news channels need ratings and people watch exciting stuff, nobody wants to talk to calm protester especially one who has no public speaking experience and will sound clumsy, they want Drama...

I can legitimately sneer and soapbox on this since I used to 'enjoy' watching C-Span as a kid and generally enjoy things people find boring like toothpick manufacture, which really is quite interesting. Most people have enough crap going on in there life that they either don't want anymore, and thus don't watch the news, or want some more of someone else's woes or problems, and want them in as exciting and compact a format as they can get, that's just the way it is and the news... TV, blog, newspaper, radio, etc all have to cater to that.

The Tea Parties were incredibly well behaved with only a very small percentage of inappropriate behavior... yet that small percentage was much more interesting, sparking drooling self-justification for the left's "the right is evil, dumb bigots" narrative, propping up independents and apathetics feel of above-the-fray superiority, and outraging the right over unfair media coverage. Well here's the OWS, which is behaving fairly badly compared to the Tea Party but pretty much on the obvious demographic lines, being made of younger people mostly compared to the middle-age dominated Tea Parties. The media goes out with cameras and are, of course, much more interested in the 1 in 10 or less badly behaving people than the majority of fairly well-behaved people. Why? Well it makes for good ratings, sparking drooling self-justification for the right's "the left are naive, spoiled brats" narrative, propping up independents and apathetics feel of above-the-fray superiority, and outraging the left over unfair media coverage.

Fox isn't covering OWS because it has some conspiratorial agenda, but because it has a very simple and transparent agenda. Fox knows most of it's viewers are center to right, and will stay glued to the set by reports of obnoxious or disgusting OWS behavior, and stick around to watch commercials. ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, NPR, CNN etc also all know this magic and use it regularly, but have audiences that are much more likely to want to hear one of the saner protesters decrying how their message is getting stomped on, unfortunately OWS doesn't really have a specific message yet, as is normal for newborn movements, and cameras attract obnoxious people - one of the other reasons you don't see saner movement members on the news much - as most sober and calm thoughtful sorts are nervous about talking to thousands or millions of people, especially without any prep. The Tea Party got hit with this same stuff, and it can even be a self-perpetuating process driving people away from a cause.

So no, Fox is not blundering by advertising for them, they are simply generating news for their news shows and clips for their political commentators to show their audience. I'm sorry if that screws up your "Fox = Evil" Narrative but Occam's razor and common sense are always better resorts than conspiratorial rantings... and this post kind comes off that way, especially since you're flagging your self as a "Pop News" viewer with your comments.
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.
- Albert Einstein

King of Cairhien 20-7-2
Chancellor of the Landsraad, Archduke of Is'Mod
This message last edited by Isaac on 25/10/2011 at 06:41:55 PM
Reply to message
Fox News and Occupy Wall Street - 25/10/2011 03:59:30 PM 783 Views
In other words your shallow understanding of people who think differently has failed you again - 25/10/2011 04:08:09 PM 537 Views
*wonders if this works* - 25/10/2011 05:46:56 PM 483 Views
Point missed, try again. *NM* - 25/10/2011 06:13:17 PM 196 Views
Make snide posts, expect snide replies - 25/10/2011 06:41:31 PM 518 Views
Well, I wouldn't want to subject you to anything. *NM* - 26/10/2011 05:00:55 AM 205 Views
Uncalled for. I expect better from you. *NM* - 26/10/2011 06:28:15 AM 189 Views
Ignore it? - 25/10/2011 05:39:17 PM 513 Views
You're kidding, Right? - 25/10/2011 06:15:52 PM 486 Views
Why? Am I being ridicuously illogical? - 26/10/2011 05:41:29 PM 447 Views
Yes, you are. - 27/10/2011 03:32:26 PM 426 Views
I thought someone would say that. - 27/10/2011 06:01:17 PM 528 Views
Well, welcome to popular media - 25/10/2011 06:38:37 PM 657 Views
Fox News vilifies them, The rest of the major news networks sings their praises. - 26/10/2011 06:28:26 AM 515 Views
In that case ... - 26/10/2011 03:37:11 PM 547 Views
There is a big difference between the way the two groups went about it - 26/10/2011 04:18:22 PM 478 Views
"In other words your shallow understanding of people who think differently has failed you again." - 26/10/2011 04:41:53 PM 516 Views
Nice try but doesn't really apply - 26/10/2011 04:56:16 PM 408 Views
Dammit, now you've made me type a huge post. - 26/10/2011 06:10:09 PM 518 Views
*applauds* - 26/10/2011 10:01:13 PM 419 Views
It would be nice to think he at least read this post... - 28/10/2011 03:35:31 AM 446 Views
it would not have been so long if you has actaully addressed what I said instead of ranting - 28/10/2011 10:38:34 PM 516 Views
Re: - 28/10/2011 11:01:58 PM 482 Views
I just read that former Acorn employees are the ones running the show. Color me not suprised. *NM* - 26/10/2011 05:50:05 PM 200 Views
Running the show how, exactly? - 27/10/2011 03:36:34 PM 469 Views

Reply to Message