I sort of get that people don't remember WWII and so have no sense of horror at fascism to inoculate them. but Iraq started 22 years ago—not that long for such complete amnesia they're running the exact same panel of lies, and the bizarrely credulous media mostly eats it up. but it's working my last nerve.
I hope you have come to the realization that talking about what corporate owned legacy media OUGHT to be doing is pointless. They spent a decade normalizing and sanewashing Trump, giving him endless free passes while hammering Democrats over nonsense. They were complicit in his re-election and now that he is doing what autocrats always do to a free press they have moved from complicity to collaboration.
That said, this kind of analysis is desperately needed -- not by your erstwhile colleagues but by their former consumers. As you know, hundreds of thousands of people have cancelled their subs to NYT and WaPo and stopped watching the networks and cable news shows. We are blessed to live in an age in which independent voices flourish but too few people have the ability or the experience to adequately distinguish what they're being told from what is actually going on. Your deconstructing coverage and explaining what's not being asked and what's being mischaracterized is vitally important.
But let's not forget that the MSM has never been anything other than centrist in its coverage. Less covered, but vastly more relevant to bias in the national media is the role of FOX News and its lesser competitors like OANN, Sinclair, etc., that supplies all/some/most of the "news" consumed by a WHOPPING 85% of Trump voters.
Like most seniors in cognitive decline who rely on the nonsense manufactured by FOX News, Trump is a senile old man who sent us to war based entirely on its glowing coverage of Israeli military prowess.
Considering that FOX News hosts form the bulk of Trump's cabinet (along with billionaires with direct financial conflicts of interest), it's fair to say that FOX News is the ultimate "Trump whisperer," and thus the true power in DC.
This surprises absolutely no one. Trump is following the playbook laid out by his role model:
1. "If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed."
2. "The victor will never be asked if he told the truth."
3. "The very first essential for success is a perpetually constant and regular employment of violence. "
- Adolf Hitler
Trump's Christian stormtrooper assassinations in Minnesota are only the beginning. Expect him to pardon the murderer soon and host him at the next SOTU. Welcome to the Fourth Reich.
Glad you reported about this. I was also insulted by the media’s initial reporting (stenography) Trump’s and others statements that it was a success that included complete destruction of Iran’s nuclear capability without evidence or demonstration of what he said as fact.
The media have embraced the total breakdown of international law. Watch China throw the Administration's own words back at them when they invade Taiwan.
Well said and important. Thanks. I worry that the press believes they are no different than any other business and so they focus on fostering an image that won’t offend anyone in power who might adversely affect the bottom line (advertisers, investors, sources) But the fact that the First Amendment was created and ratified to protect a free press also obligates them to seek out the whole truth and report it honestly and fully. The founders knew that the Fourth Estate was an integral part of a free society. To voluntarily abrogate that duty is reprehensible.
Mary Trump had this insight to share 👇. I think it complements the shallow, petty, thoughtless, egocentric, self-gratifying & self-aggrandizing motive that you and others attribute to his preposterously dangerous and mindlessly impetuous act:
I sort of get that people don't remember WWII and so have no sense of horror at fascism to inoculate them. but Iraq started 22 years ago—not that long for such complete amnesia they're running the exact same panel of lies, and the bizarrely credulous media mostly eats it up. but it's working my last nerve.
Great article.
I hope you have come to the realization that talking about what corporate owned legacy media OUGHT to be doing is pointless. They spent a decade normalizing and sanewashing Trump, giving him endless free passes while hammering Democrats over nonsense. They were complicit in his re-election and now that he is doing what autocrats always do to a free press they have moved from complicity to collaboration.
That said, this kind of analysis is desperately needed -- not by your erstwhile colleagues but by their former consumers. As you know, hundreds of thousands of people have cancelled their subs to NYT and WaPo and stopped watching the networks and cable news shows. We are blessed to live in an age in which independent voices flourish but too few people have the ability or the experience to adequately distinguish what they're being told from what is actually going on. Your deconstructing coverage and explaining what's not being asked and what's being mischaracterized is vitally important.
Thanks for the great work.
All, sadly, true.
But let's not forget that the MSM has never been anything other than centrist in its coverage. Less covered, but vastly more relevant to bias in the national media is the role of FOX News and its lesser competitors like OANN, Sinclair, etc., that supplies all/some/most of the "news" consumed by a WHOPPING 85% of Trump voters.
Like most seniors in cognitive decline who rely on the nonsense manufactured by FOX News, Trump is a senile old man who sent us to war based entirely on its glowing coverage of Israeli military prowess.
Considering that FOX News hosts form the bulk of Trump's cabinet (along with billionaires with direct financial conflicts of interest), it's fair to say that FOX News is the ultimate "Trump whisperer," and thus the true power in DC.
This surprises absolutely no one. Trump is following the playbook laid out by his role model:
1. "If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed."
2. "The victor will never be asked if he told the truth."
3. "The very first essential for success is a perpetually constant and regular employment of violence. "
- Adolf Hitler
Trump's Christian stormtrooper assassinations in Minnesota are only the beginning. Expect him to pardon the murderer soon and host him at the next SOTU. Welcome to the Fourth Reich.
Glad you reported about this. I was also insulted by the media’s initial reporting (stenography) Trump’s and others statements that it was a success that included complete destruction of Iran’s nuclear capability without evidence or demonstration of what he said as fact.
That's a tour de force, Dan.
The media have embraced the total breakdown of international law. Watch China throw the Administration's own words back at them when they invade Taiwan.
Well said and important. Thanks. I worry that the press believes they are no different than any other business and so they focus on fostering an image that won’t offend anyone in power who might adversely affect the bottom line (advertisers, investors, sources) But the fact that the First Amendment was created and ratified to protect a free press also obligates them to seek out the whole truth and report it honestly and fully. The founders knew that the Fourth Estate was an integral part of a free society. To voluntarily abrogate that duty is reprehensible.
Mary Trump had this insight to share 👇. I think it complements the shallow, petty, thoughtless, egocentric, self-gratifying & self-aggrandizing motive that you and others attribute to his preposterously dangerous and mindlessly impetuous act:
https://substack.com/@la12336102/note/c-128479524?r=1k4nht&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
I have taken to checking in with BBC (when I can bear it).
We are expected not to believe our own eyes
They don't want to get dissed by Trump.
And they know he'll bring in ratings.
Though his stupid parade got outdrawn in the ratings by baseball and women's soccer.
He did this to hog up the TV spotlight.