Why do so many people take everything they hear on TV and in the newspaper for granted without researching it?
92533
Because American's are lazy and no longer think for themselves. Our generation as a whole has become profoundly gullible and we eat what society feeds us because we don't want to work for our own cognitive nourishment.
219845
This is an easy one for me! I don't watch the news,because it makes me sad and it is also too over dramatized anyway.Same things over and over again,so I just don't watch. I read the paper and read what I want to,usually the comics!People say,"You NEED to watch the news!" I say,"No I really don't!" \nOther than this,I try to live each day to its fullest,enjoying the beauty instead of focusing on the ugly side of life. I try to have a positive perspective. And I always do one nice thing for someone every day. That makes me feel good about myself,and makes the other person feel special,if only for a moment.\nSome people may take this as,I'm living in my own little world,that's not it at all. I just prefer to be more positive than negative. You could say I tend to look at the sunny side of life!
1129686
does seem that way doesn't it? personally, I don't even watch tv and even when I do I know that most of what is said in the media is bullshit and half-truths.
866014
I think that massive variety of media allows people to find news that fits their preconceived belief system.  Especially the internet.  Michael Moore uses real articles, but fails to note they were retracted for example.
47638
It influences more.  People today are trying so hard to be "glam" like celebrities we see splashed all over the media.  There is no sense of just being yourself anymore.  \nAnd I think people trust the news much more than they should.  People don't realize that journalists are getting paid to write what will sell and won't offend, which is not necessarily the truth.\nThe media in no way reflect our society.
523081
Don't buy the newspaper?  I don't.\nDon't watch the news? I never do anymore because it's the same thing day in & day out.
716588
It's used all the time ! anywhere and everywhere. Look at the elections coming up. If it weren't for propaganda and the disinformation , there would be no political news on T.V.\nI want to know how they stand not what their opponents can accuse them of, and hope it sticks. I guess most people do not feel this way, as the politicians continue to use this negative campaigning. It is so aggravating!\nI think most people have their minds made up long before the election , and when they hear a negative view , against their party, They disregard it and when it is against his opponent, they agree with it. So it really does not win any votes at all!.
1064191
Doing the right thing is not always interesting to people. They want the dirt and sleazy stories. All of you that disagree with me should ask the tv stations, newspapers, radio stations, advertisers and any other media companies. They are not making all that money by selling the sweet stories. It is on the smutty and nasty stories. The only way we can change it as a society is to quit buying or watching these stories.
1170684
Because they believe what they hear on Fox news and are too lazy to actually look things up and find the truth.
436308
Great question! A lot of people watch the news and think they know what is going on in the world.  They don't take the time to get information from the actual Government sites about what congress is voting on, who voted are they republicans or democrats.  People just listen to the news and think that all they hear is true.... is like the same mentality that if is in writing/printed in black and white it must be true.  They are probably crude and insulting due to their lack of intelligent and factual information and also lack of communication skills.
507471
most people's opinions are formed by the media. what the media chooses to cover, what stereotypes they choose to feed into, what issues they decide get the ratings, etc. so our people are free to choose, but is it really freedom if they are only presented with selective information? most people do not take the time to look up facts, background, stats, etc. they trust that what they read, see, hear is the truth.  if you are interested in this subject, you should check out Bowling for Columbine, it's a documentary about the Columbine shootings, but it also has a very interesting part about U.S. media vs. Canadian media.  Of course, that's media, too.  :)
769553
I believe the media has corrupted the society we live in, because its giving us all negitve things, that's why I gave up watching TV so much, because its all about money, and how to get it and dishing out garbage that they are doing now is only feeding that monster.
135996
my opinion is that the local tv news is probably the most educated and adheres to the facts.  I mean, they'd about have to be less biased than the other mediums.  They are about immediate gratification, really.  Magazines, well, they take many liberties, because they can be fiction, as well.  Their articles require facts and referrences, but when was the last time you saw a retraction of a story or a correction in a magazine?  As far as tv programs and movies, their job is to entertain rather than inform, so they don't really fall into newsworthy--controversial, or brainwashing, perhaps, but not really in the same sphere as the others.  The internet?  Well, it is largely becoming the largest reference manual in the world, but there is fact as well as fiction, as we all encounter.  You can find anything about any subject and cross reference a hundred facts, any facts you want to glean are there for the taking.  as for this, take it for what you will
339077
Never. Unfortunatley there are many people that are satisfied with one side of a story that they hear on the liberal left media. Could be they are just too lazy to look into things any further than their television.
176386
OMG NO!!!! Mainstream media, be they normally associated as left or right, are a bunch of non informed idiots. \n\nLiars! They are ALL liars! :) They spin it just like the next politician. \n\nPeople please, do not rely on one news source. There are three sides to every story; you side, my side and the truth. \n\nthe moral is, read as much as you can about any given situation from different sources, and draw your own conclusion.\n\n**Believe 1% of what your mother tells you and nothing anyone else tells you.
877753
This is very true. A person really has to watch what they say so that it is not taken the wrong way. I think this has come out of the fact that our media has this content so ingrained in it. Look at children's movies! They often have sexual jokes hidden in them that adults will be able to get and children will not. I think this is pervading our conversations and infiltrating all aspects of life.
462024
historically propaganda has proven to be an effective tool to manipulate public opinion hitler and stalin among other leaders have demonsrated how to properly abuse this power, only a few corporations own American mainstream media, from t.v. to magazines this is how our news becomes so biased and censored. what can be done we can turn off our tv more often and read our news and listen to our radio from independent radio sources and support these institutions and vote down any legislation that attempts to subvert this one freedom we should all take the time to exercise,we can also remain skeptical and consider thesource of our information and how it may serve certain interests of certain parties and question anything that only offers one view,remain aware, and resist being manipulated by our fears