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Urban myth indeed, Elphaba.
Of course, it might be a problem when looking to discredit a single link in opposition to the thesis of a vast right wing media conspiracy when there are dozens upon dozens upon dozens of such links available. One need only cast their net and trawl about for a link that will inevitably harmonize with their political sensibilities. In regards to Mr. Shanberg, one can see a distinguished and ideologically vocal media creature whose critical writing was devoted to the the poor and the oppressed, at times taking on big business and industry, and opposing - with his pen - movers and shakers and decision-makers of big industry (job creators?). The original article in this thread comes as no surprise from one whose life was shaped chronicling (and, opposing) the Cambodian War of 1970-75, which ultimately resulted in Hollywood taking an interest in his work, the result being a movie with a rather bleak and hostile outlook on the American role in the conflict, entitled The Killing Fields.
A subject of interest is the encouraging phenomena of the role that the Internet is playing in the political realities of America, and - one hopes - the rest of the world as well. Where once upon a time people were relegated to the role of passive recipients of information relayed to them by strange and anonymous sources, there are now empowered and ordinary citizens who can read, disseminate, circulate and even broadcast their own viewpoints before an entire world audience. The democratization of information that the internet brings allows citizens to be informed to an extent impossible even 15 years ago. While television is still the dominant media appliance in the household, things are changing in favor of interconnectivity and user customization of the media experience. As it applies to the political nature of this thread, the internet has provided citizens with the ability to balance the left leaning politcal agendas of content providers such as cnn (tv), slate (web) or neil rogers (radio), as well as their ideological counterparts. Modern-thinking individuals understand that competition for power and desire to set the agenda can characterize high-profile, ratings driven media outlets. It is important to remind oneself that first and foremost, content providers are in business to make a profit like any other business. If people aren't watching or listening or reading a particular media source - for whatever reason - it's bad for business. Next time the circus comes to your town, remind yourself that the hawker hollering for your attention to play his games for a farthing is exactly similar to the orchestrated seduction of any competent and successful news program, liberal or otherwise
There is talk in this thread of a conservative bias in today's media as it relates to American politics. Perhaps a natural response to recent political activities in America, as regards the unexpected popularity of President Bush? What might not be as obvious at first glance is the anger and resentment some individuals harbor when they feel deceived or betrayed by an authority figure. One need realize that what makes up the mainstream media who commentate on the American political scene are highly educated, successful and talented people from the top schools and universities in America. These schools have been around for centuries, they have tradition, and they operate on standards of conduct they themselves created in years past. They have become authorities in their field, similar to any such profession that has developed an expertise over time and through experience - be it farmers, salesmen, miners, doctors, designers, florists. Within a media organization or any other business-driven organization are trained individuals of varying beliefs and political values going about their work, one faction competing against the other for a larger slice of viewership.
As far as the viewer-reader-listener is concerned, what is most important is freedom of choice, and media companies know this. In a free society, expression is the currency of the realm, mandated in law by the Consitution. In America, this means that information consumers have a wider political spectrum from which to get their information than ever before. Into this scene comes the addition of personal internet blogs that have matured into outlets of expression which now compete with the established media players for the viewership of an audience. Conservative blogs keep the liberal media honest, liberal blogs commentate on those currently in seats of power and more. It is simply a matter of picking and choosing whatever media outlet one desires to keep them informed. In this day and age, to say that one source of information is more prevalent than the other is erroneous and can be proven so simply by changing the tv channel, tuning the radio dial, visiting a magazine stand, or typing a given url on the net. To insinuate otherwise would be to insult the intelligence of even the typically-informed consumer. The proof is in the pudding, goes the saying.
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