If CNN, MSNBC, Fox or other news outlets didn't cover it, did it really happen? Does it matter?

[pinto]

The news outlets, especially the 24/7 operations, seem to have an over sized role in our national political discussions. And a large role in fashioning cable news as infotainment.

Five stories, five themes and a repetitive replay of those five are the standard, save actual breaking events. I see that echoed in a lot of venues.

The Republicans play this well - set out a script, return to it as often as possible and replay, replay. And everyone plays along, from the national media to your co-worker or neighbor.

We ought to be better than this. Bigger than this, across all party lines.

[Fred Sanders]

1. Great insight.....when enough folks realize cable and mass media news are entertainment and

propaganda mixed together for the benefit of the oligarchs, exclusively owned by them so quelle surprise, then maybe the country can move forward and away from the cavemen.

How many segments on rising poverty in America have you seen versus missing planes and cruise ship woes?

And sharks, almost forgot about the huge coverage of sharks.

[onecaliberal]

2. 6 corps own all media. They're all cons.

I don't even know how you roll that back. Break up media consolidation just like to big to fail banks I guess. It won't be changing any time soon. And if we don't do something this election it might be too late.

[ibegurpard]

3. 10 years ago? no

Now? Not as big a factor. People are turning to alternative sources more and more. No has figured out yet how to squelch alternatives on the internet.

[FoxNewsSucks]

6. Actually, I think they have

Crush net neutrality. Comcast, Verizon and others are still trying to do it despite the FCC ruling.

[Gregorian]

4. A very important observation.

I love how succinctly you put it.

What we have has worked too, I think. Occupy was very effective in starting a new dialog context. Early on in this forum there were two members who ran TakeBackTheMedia. I learned from that. Others did, as well, I'm sure. Now most liberals are aware that the media has severe problems. I feel that one of our candidates is using a legitimate platform with which to finally do what the media has failed to do. To publicly announce the truth.

[malokvale77]

5. Most people I know...

pay no attention to those news outlets.

Increasingly here on DU anything outside the big 6 are considered unacceptable.

[valerief]

7. The billionaires who control our airwaves are all RW. nt