Do you think that the media (the U.S. media ) provides an accurate portrayal of current events and issues?
444895
I feel that the US media is not only dishonest, but is the main reason for the level of ignorance displayed by Americans with regards to other nations. \n\nOne guy I spoke to while there didn't realise that other countries had other currencies \n\n"Doesn't everyone use dollars maaaaaan?"
1164075
When parody shows like Colbert Report and the Daily Show are more reliable news sources than CNN, we have some REAL problems with society.\n\nLately though, I didn't notice it until my "politically un-inclined" wife pointed this out, most of the movies in the box office contain very subtle hints as to the current state or future state of our society.\n\nMinority Report - Deals with "thought crime"\nLord of War - Hints at government involvement in screwing with 3rd world countries\nSyriana - Very direct\nInside Man - based on the real story of Bush family historical involvement in laundering money for Nazi industrialists along with other prominent bankers\nMatrix series - very direct message also\nStar Wars Ep 1 to 3 - Shows the rise of a fascist state from a republic\nV for Vendetta - Perfect example of an Orwellian fascist state\nEnemy of the State\nThe Island\n\nI might have missed many, but almost all contain VERY subtle political messages pointing out exactly what is really going on vs. the propoganda you see on Fox or CNN.  Whether the messages in these movies can effect the collective conscience of Americans is another story, but it at least counters the brainwashing somewhat.
354961
Regardless of your politics people, the answer is YES.  The media needs stories to fill 24 hours worth of 'news.' The media frequently "reports" what the governments reports, says, and spins.  People at all levels of government (federal, state, local, school) spend time every day trying to spin a media message in a particular way, in the same way that PR companies and corporate companies cast their messages.  How, when, what, and why a story is reported is generally structured by others in government (and business) with the public blissfully unaware.  Fox simply characterizes with a conservative bent.
228318
yes and i think it is very powerful.  we are a very media driven society and feed off every little word-true or false.  wether it is all believed or not is  different story but it only takes one person
1078483
The American mainstream media and media in general the world over is fundamentally flawed.  Journalistic integrity gave way a long time ago to maintaining the status quo and perpetuating myths that are beneficial to the people in power.  This is nothing new.  Journalists all media of communication have been used since they inception to spread propaganda.  But I think that the realization that this is the case can work for the reader.  There are always grains of truth in the major news stories and by being a questioning witness to the news and vocalizing your dissent with the wholesale perversion of journalistic integrity is a step in the right direction.\nAs far as propagating the opinion of Western policy, yes, the news media does, to a certain extent, act as a passive media to forward the opinions and policies of the powerful.  And it does affect both the democratic progress and the formation of policy.  Ironically in an age where information can be transmitted instantly, there are certain pitfalls for the powerful to fall into.  Anyone remember the "Dean Scream"?\nJournalists must act as a filter as well.  I know for a fact that in Canada the majority of the visuals for news have to go though a screening process.  Do you really want your child watching the news and seeing someone killed brutally onscreen?  You may call this destroying the truth, but we don't necessarily want the world, in all it's brutality and honesty to invade our homes through the nightly news.\nIt's a slippery slope.  We want the truth, but we also want to be mollified that the world is an essentially good place where nice democratic people can sleep peacefully and their government will protect their country and their rights equally.  Sometimes it is not possible.\nOn a side note, read Charlotte Gilman Perkins "When I was a witch".  It has a very interesting part where she forces the paper to print the truth.  Very funny!  See the link below
477497
It is so important to be informed.  You can't make decisions based on the junk that is shoved at you from every media angle.  Every news station has an agenda, and they know what demographic is watching, and what they want to hear.  It's all about ratings for them.  This is why you need to be in the know yourself.  It is a responsibility we all have as Americans, and alot of people fought very hard to maintain this, the very least we can do is care about the land in which we live enough to involve ourselves in its betterment.
1147929
There's at least one American out here who agrees with you.  Such a sad state of affairs.  And the worst thing about it is that people can't see it.  Doesn't anybody look beyond the nice news stories the Republican-owned press keeps putting out?  For instance, http://www.democracynow.org (an independent media outlet) has a daily M-F show that goes beneath the surface on what's happening in the US and in other parts of the world.  We're conditioned to believe our beloved country can do no wrong... but it's time to grow up and open our eyes.
510583
Media meaning news?  I think they just focus on the hottest stories.  If you're talking about entertainment television, then I see what you mean.  I once counted how many African Americans there were during 2 minutes of commercials.  The number was low compared to the amount of Caucasian actors.  I do think it's getting better, though.
15629
BBC...News actually covers the world and not as biased.  Not just the usual "America is the greatest place on earth" babble...
924871
It is truly sad how many believe the nonsense that passes for news in the US.\n\nlove and blessings Don
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
123958
I actually think the media has much more of a conservative slant.  Considering that most main-stream media is owned by giant corporations, this is not surprising.\n\nMay I ask how you manage to fit so much information into your questions without going into the additional details?
1082100
I'm going to have to politely disagree on the grounds that the mainstream media, in Bush's corner, has deceived most everyone, in the US at least. Which isn't going to last forever, might I add.\n\nMountains of evidence supports that the "war on terror" is just a big farce!\n\nIf you have time, you may want to listen to some alternative views on what's actually going on:
110062
This would be my chance  to give the  world a serialised  story  of the  true state of affairs in Africa , issues   on governonce , cultures  and  the people .\n\nReasons  being that in most cases  i  have  watched with  great disbelief  the amount of untruth printed  and  televised  in the mainstream media giving  the outside  world  a  very  dark picture of  actually is the true  status in  Africa.\n\nIf  only  i could get such a  chance .
933556
Generally speaking, yes it has had an impact on the image of the US.  I'm in the USA.  But many people outside the US are quite upset with us over Iraq.   Outside of the Islamic world, not many are too upset with us over Afghanistan-- that was considered justified given the taliban, OBL and 9/11.\n\nAfter 9/11 the US supposedly had much support over being attacked.  Even from some countries one wouldn't expect.\n\nInvading Iraq based on faulty info has been seen as a mistake especially in light of ignoring the UN position on this.  We had broad support in the first Gulf war but not in the second.\n\nI do speak with friends and colleagues from other countries-- generally they're ok US people, but quite upset about our policies around the world.  I've also seen opinions from some that indicate we're too leanient in some cases-- that is, we need to just demolish people who mess with us.\n\nIn one converstation, I was discussing freedom of speech etc. with a foreign student (from Europe).  When I mentioned protests, it surprised him that we protest against our own government.  In his country, most of the protests are against the US and less so against their own goverment.\n\nI think we (the US) are often seen as trying to impose our wishes on everybody else regardless of what they want or think.\n\nOh, I'll echo the comment below me-- many outside the US think "americans" are generally ignorant.  Not agreeing with that but that's the perception.
582727
At one time the media advocated certain ideas and directly  influenced and shaped popular ideas. They seem to support positions with rational discussion.  Now days at least TV media seems to take a more indirect approach. The impression I get is that there is always two views to everything and that people feel so passionately about their views  that a debate of ideas at a rational level is not possible. \n\nDont have any articles that support my point of view, but here aresome articles on media influencing popular opinions.
139973
Foreigners do not hate America, I think they hate our politicians. But, I agree with you, I do think it's ignorant. But at the same time you have to consider the fact that our image is influenced by what the world sees on the news and what they see in our movies, music, etc. But, I think it's mostly influenced by the media.