It’s incredible to me that so many people think that CNN is this hallowed institution that is unbiased and always accurate. I trust CNN no more than I trust Fox News – basically meaning I don’t trust them at all.
CNN is owned by AOL/Time Warner. I’m not even going to attempt to list everything that AOL/Time Warner owns, but if you go here, there’s a (for the most part) complete and updated list of what all they have their sticky little fingers in.
After looking at that list, ask yourself this question: “How many different companies advertise in all of these different media owned by AOL Time Warner?”
The fact is you don’t really have to even come up with an answer to realize that maybe, just MAYBE AOL/Time Warner might be… let’s just say “behooved” to their advertisers. Is it possible that perhaps the different interests of their advertisers, who have helped to make CNN one of the six conglomerates that owns 95% of all media, might affect what stories are reported on CNN, and just exactly how they are presented?
You bet your sweet bippy they do.
“HEADLINE” NEWS?
I do check CNN.com a few times a week just to see what is being reported in the mainstream media. Of course, it’s almost always skewed; or, if a story is particularly dangerous it’s hidden or not reported on at all. Still, it’s good to know what bullshit is being put out there so as to be sure and get the proper tools to fight it.
As I was reading the CNN Homepage this morning, I realized just how low they have sunk. Allow me to present a few of their “headlines” for you:
1. “Warren Buffet’s Wife Thwarts Robbery” --> Oooooooh!!! Well, send her the fucking Medal of Honor!
2. “Cop Charged in Police Dog’s Hot Car Death” --> Good, but this is something I’d expect to see as a headline on a local news channel – not, oh I don’t know, CNN.
3. “Early adopters sour over iPhone Price Cut” --> A: Who “adopts” a cell phone? It’s a phone, not a Chinese orphan. B: Did these people NOT think that Apple would reduce the iPhone’s price after a few months? Someone clue them in to Marketing 101, please. C: This is more important than the War in Iraq or 40 million people infected with AIDS… how now?
4. ”Pit Bull Attacks Mom Carrying Baby” --> OK, ORIGINALLY, this headline read “Pit Bull Attacks Mom Throwing Baby in Trash”, but I guess they got around to correcting it before I could take the screen shot. (Stupid price quote requests.) Still, again, that sucks, but this is national/international news because…?
5. “Couple’s Video Welcomes Teen Sex Slave” --> I’m sorry, I thought I was going to CNN, not the NATIONAL ENQUIRER. Can we say “sensationalism”?
6. “Mutt on Voter Roll Puts Owner in Dog House” --> This actually could be a great investigative article into voter fraud and how vulnerable our American Democracy is. But, that would bring up questions of how secure our voting machines are (click here to actually read about that). And, seeing as Diebold makes both the voting machines that our country uses AND the majority of bank ATMs (several of whom advertise in multiple AOL Time Warner media outlets), CNN decides to turn this story into an extremely lame pun and a fluff piece (dang it, and now I must apologize for MY lame pun. I swear mine was accidental, though).
Kudos to you, CNN! Way to keep up your journalistic integrity.
7. “J. Lo. awarded $545K in suit against ex-hubby” --> Yeah, because if there’s one thing Jennifer Lopez needs, it’s more money. Oh, and way to go CNN for getting all “hip with the youngsters” by calling her “J. Lo.” instead of by her name, which she publically asked all media to do back in, like, 2005.
Shoot, even Perez Hilton is focusing more on whether or not Fidel Castro is still alive than this crap!
Oh well, at least they didn’t fuck up as royally as Fox News did. (Click Link for video)
Just in case you don’t believe me with these ridiculous stories, here’s the screenshot to prove that I’m not making this crap up:
SWEPT UNDER A RUG
So, what stories get relegated to the bottom of the page, or even entirely different pages under specific sections (ex.: “Travel”, “National”, “World”)?
1. “Bush, China’s Hu Tackle Thorny Issues” --> Oh yeah, because NOTHING interesting could come from a very tense meeting between the world’s only superpower and the nation trying to take it’s spot in the power hegemony. Nope, nothing interesting or that could possibly affect the daily lives of over 1/6 of the world’s population… (Under “World” Section)
2. “26,000 U.S., Iraqi Troops Go on Offensive” --> That thing’s still going on? Oh yeah… how’s that going by the way? Oh wait! Some kinky couple welcomes their teen sex slave in a video online. Let me go look at that video and pretend to be outraged by it… (Under “World” Section)
3. “Mind-controlled bionic arm plays piano” --> Oh, that couldn’t POSSIBLY have any implications for:
1. Psychology
2. Neurology
3. Multiple Sclerosis
4. Muscular Dystrophy
5. Cerebral Palsy
6. Paralysis
7. The Elderly
8. Amputees
9. Brain Cancer
10. Robotics
11. Biology
12. Religion
13. Family & Caretakers of those with limited mobility
14. Need I continue? (Under “Science” Section)
4. “Auditors: Homeland Security Gets Mixed Grades” --> No, I don’t have ANY interest in how the people responsible for the destruction of the vast majority of rights protected by the Constitution are doing with their newfound, illegal powers – especially since it sounds like they’re doing a pretty crappy job. Nope, no interest whatsoever. After all, we’ve got a new season of “Desperate Housewives” coming up. (Under “Politics” Section)
5. “Homes Entering Foreclosures at Record” --> Looks like there will be a lot more desperate, poor people on the street. Well, it’s a good thing Warren Buffet’s wife is on duty! (Under “Business” Section)
CNN = MINDLESS, BIASED DRIVEL
So, next time someone tells me, “Well, it isn’t on CNN, so it can’t be that important/true/accurate/etc.”, I’m officially going to burst at least three capillaries in my forehead.
Here’s a REAL news flash for you: QUESTION ALL MAINSTREAM MEDIA! The Internet has given the average American unprecedented access to all sorts of information (which is precisely why the government keeps trying to find ways to censor it). Don’t trust something just because it comes from a “big” media outlet. Do your own research, look at multiple sources, and decide for yourselves.
One of the most powerful weapons that the masses can ever have is the truth. Knowledge, truth, and the ability to use them can overcome a great many lies and evils.
Don’t believe the hype!
Cheers,
E
No comments:
Post a Comment