Noam Chomsky - The 5 Filters of the Mass Media Machine

[Donkees]

Published on Mar 2, 2017

According to American linguist and political activist, Noam Chomsky, media operate through 5 filters: ownership, advertising, the media elite, flak and the common enemy.

[Honeycombe8]

1. I hate to disagree with such a learned man.

But this is pure nonsense.

The NYT & WaPo were owned by individuals in the '60s. Not conglomerates. And once they realized that the Vietnam War was feeding them through the Govt Machine, they developed their investigative journalism skills & reported on the Vietnam War through that, including interviews, many photographs, video. It was that investigative journalism that lead the public to turn against the War, as they saw firsthand the horror of it, in their living rooms.

Later, the WaPo and NYT, got their hands on, and published, the Pentagon Papers, which told the real story of America's involvement in Vietnam.

All this, while selling advertising to other businesses.

Not to mention, in a democracy that has literally thousands of journalists (as opposed to talking heads that are so prominent now), it is impossible to tow one single line, only one viewpoint.

Pure nonsense.

[MythosMaster]

2. But yet here we are

With a criminal president and a cult base of followers...

[Honeycombe8]

3. And I am still battling those 5 extra pounds. And your point is what?

Because one thing happens does not mean that something unrelated caused it.

The Russians and ignorant Trumpers, and subordinate Republicans scared of Trump yet thrilled at the prospect of big tax cuts for their donors, are responsible. As well as Jill Stein voters. And the millions who didn't vote at all.

We all knew what Trump was, right? We didn't get that knowledge ONLY by watching him. We had some help.

The NYT, WaPo, and many other journalists pointed out his many and shocking faults.

They are also not responsible for Jill Stein taking votes from Clinton. Or Bernie losing the nomination. (In fact, it was reporters who told the public about the rigging against Bernie.)

Utter nonsense.

[MythosMaster]

4. And yet here we are

I like to get to the point. but after your blame everything but the kitchen sink rant I will move on.

[Honeycombe8]

6. And again, I point out...what's the connection evidence you have?

Just because two things in the world happen doesn't mean they're connected.

Please show the causation evidence you have.

His premise is nonsense and not based on facts.

[Hortensis]

5. Basically agree, Honeycombe,

Last edited Tue Feb 26, 2019, 07:19 PM - Edit history (1)

At least as far as that part of it goes. Ownership of newspapers was once considered by many a civic duty and people did not assume it to make money. Lack of perfection by whatever unreal standard he pretends to does not mean that was not true, any more than it means "Obama is worse than Bush" and "has no particular principles that I can identify" or that "Hillary is the lesser of 2 evils."

Chomsky can be truly impressive when he adheres to the disciplines of objective analysis, instead of a huge fool when he indulges his unfortunate side, and I’d hoped he’d regretted his dreadful mistakes and returned to honest analysis.