What are the functions of our Press and Media?

[KlatooBNikto]

Let me list the most apparent ones.

1. To ignore the obvious.( With apologies to Alex Cockburn)
2. To exalt the powerful.
3. To be mouthpieces for the powerful.
4. To be outlets for maligning political opponents at home and abroad.
5. To erase history.
6.To put a virtuous sheen on anything the U.S. does abroad, as in bringing Democracy and Freedom to Iraq.
7.To not merely accept the officially sanctioned stories but to become cheerleaders of those stories.

Have I left anything out?

[KitchenWitch]

1. Media Dysfunction

8. To suppress the voices of the dissenters.

[KlatooBNikto]

2. I think they do it more efficiently by simply labeling them Conspiracy

Theorists.

[charlie]

3. And distraction

Bury the important, stuff the airwaves with Kobe, Peterson, and Barry Bonds.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. SELL! SELL! SELL! .....

anything to anyone, for the highest price...

[KlatooBNikto]

5. No wonder all the PoohBahs of the Press and TV media look like

a bunch of diabolical car salesmen.

[BiggJawn]

8. You have stated the most important function of "The Media"...

To deliver eyeballs to those all important images that follow the words "More news, after THIS..."

"But I'm a SERIOUS JOURNALIST!!"

"Yeah, whatever...Look, Babe, the focus groups say they'd watch us more if you'd show more cleavage and jiggled, so lose the turtlenecks and sit on this tiny stool...Then we can re-work the rate card, and who knows? Might be a little more in your sock this Xmas, get my drift?"

[MatrixEscape]

6. Agitprop the People!

To adopt, initiate, and use newspeak adeptly in the process of forming public opinion = manufacture consent using information gleened from focus groups.

Repeat lies often enough to make them into commonly accepted truth = creating reality, not reporting on it.

To abdicate its primary responsiblity as the guardian and watchdog of Democracy and Freedom.

To replace the tradition of journalism with talking head media whores who can act well, look good, and be boisterous and opinionated.

[Jim Sagle]

7. To suck Republican dick.

[Lone_Wolf]

9. Read Chomsky's 'Manufacturing Consent'

I have the book at home, but here's a website I found.

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Herman%20/Manufac_Consent_Prop_Model.html

It is a very comprehensive analysis of the media and how it really functions. You have many of the functions that Chomsky came up with. Here are some more.

It also serves as a distraction. It keeps people occupied with sports, "reality" television, and mindless entertainment. Otherwise, people might start intruding on areas where they are not welcome, like paying attention to policy. In short, it keeps people from participating in their government's affairs.

It limits the debate. The boundaries of debate are very narrow in the media. Thus, people who go beyond these boundaries are marginalized and considered extremists.

It indoctrinates people so that they willingly work and sacrifice for the corporate/military state.

[KlatooBNikto]

10. Thanks.I have not read Chomsky's Manufacturing Consent.Will do so.

[Jose Diablo]

11. Showing many important events

The trial of Peterson. OJ's trial. Discussing how hard it really is, you know, to be a president. Repeating in detail, time and time again how the various storms are causing damage, tree's failing on parked cars, stuff like that. Showing the latest car wrecks on the traffic congested highway. Giving the latest knowledge of how some child has been abducted by an estranged spouse. Discussing in detail the wondrous works various religious leaders are performing. Showing and teaching us how dirty and rotten the French are, Germans too. Informing us of the progress in locating the many many terrorists. Keeping us abreast of how the liberal Democrats are subverting our free nation with their tricks in congress. Making sure we know how Kerry was a no good conniving politician when he was serving in Vietnam. Covering the election and how Bush pulled yet another victory, even though the polls said otherwise. Explaining in detail how a final push from his supporters managed to pull-off this miracle. Yes, with odds of what, 4 1/2 billion to 1, Bush won. It is a miracle. His religious followers must have prayed to their God to pull this one off.

Have I missed anything?