"Shocking news tonight at 11..."

The next few posts will include photos from Neah Bay -- where our cohort was graciously hosted by the Makah tribe. Our time there was special, they are a wonderful group of people. I am privileged to have been there and seen what I saw. That aside, here's what the title alludes to...

I read the paper. I watch the news. Heck, I even check out the local NBC affiliate's website to watch occasional video clips. However, reading Roy's article, Instant-Mix Imperial Democracy (Buy One, Get One Free), definitely reminded me the problem with simply and solely relying on mainstream media. Here's the excerpt from this paper:

One thing Roy mentions that resonated well with me was her explanation for how our perceptions of reality become skewed due to the news media. Media in the mainstream certainly is defined by the dominant groups in this country – and is an area filled with obvious corporate influence. As some Americans proclaim fervent support for the war in Iraq, those of us that do not must ask, “Why?” The media becomes a major player. “And an ABC News Poll said that 55 percent of Americans believed that Saddam Hussein directly supported Al Qaida. None of this opinion is based on evidence (because there isn’t any). All of it is based on insinuation, auto-suggestion, and outright lies circulated by the U.S. corporate media, otherwise known as the ‘Free Press,’ that hollow pillar on which contemporary American democracy rests” (p. 3). Those following blindly, very much victims of suggestion/media influence, are likely to thus unwittingly support imperialism without even realizing it. I must wonder how much of this I have fallen victim to in my lifetime – as I am sure I am much more media influenced than I realize. As Roy points out, “The era of manufacturing consent has given way to the era of manufacturing news. Soon media newsrooms will drop the pretense, and start hiring theatre directors instead of journalists” (p. 10). I find it especially amusing that his idea has even been portrayed in film (ex. Wag the Dog). I also find this incredibly feasible, especially given recent film technology. With this in mind, educators must be diligent to ensure students do not strictly buy into a Hollywood version of reality and that true critical-thinking citizenship is encouraged for students.