Welcome

We'll take a close look at how the major U.S. television news media present some of the big issues of our time like the environment, AIDS, racism, and terrorism.I hope that you'll discover some answers to the question expressed by the course title.

Bias by Bernard Goldberg is available in the bookstore. Goldberg was a senior reporter with CBS News. He wrote this book, which became a bestseller, five years ago. It's an insider's view of how the major television news media often slant important stories. Because of this book, most of his friends in the media dumped him and claimed that he is just angry with CBS, his former employer.

You'll write summaries of each chapter week by week, so buy the book now. This course will involve a fair bit of reading and a lot of discussion, both posting your opinion on this website and talking in class.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

W4 C1: Homelessness facts and figures:

Numbers of homeless in the 80's and 90's, USA:

  • the msm --- between 3 and 19 million
  • reliable sources --- 200 to 600 thousand
Long after the media knew the true figures, they continued to report numbers 15 to 40 times higher.

How would you feel if business reporters sold you on a stock that they claimed would return 40 times its value? Or told you the average house price would increase from 350,000 to 14 million dollars in the next few years?

Causes of homelessness:
  • the msm --- selfish, conservative politicians like Reagan (PM Stephen Harper today) taking money away from social programs
  • Real causes --- mostly personal--addiction, crime, mental illness
Your thoughts?
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1 comment:

Arihant said...

While it is our responsibility to find out whether what the msm is reporting is an actual fact or made up figure or if the stock or price of house would increase drastically. Its up to us to do the complete research and find out the actual fact. But the amount of effort it takes to do the research and find out whether the msm has over stated the fact is time consuming. MSM will take every measure to persuade the public in sympathizing their point of view even though it is a bit extravagant. The general population does not have the time or the money to actually go find the fact on their own and prove them otherwise as it would be unethical to do so in the case of homeless.
My opinion is that yes it is wrong of the msm to overstate the fact or for the business reporter to claim ROI of 40 times. But if the msm was not able to exaggerate the fact how will they be able to get people motivated to fund their cause or to get them higher ratings.

September 24, 2008 at 3:23 PM

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