I was watching a TV show that first aired in the late 1980’s and a lawyer was questioning a newspaper columnist why they wrote articles they knew were inaccurate or damaging to some people. His response was simply, “Controversy sells newspapers. My articles are published in over 100 papers across the country because they bring in subscribers. I don’t care if the content is right or wrong, fact or fiction. My publisher just wants people to be anxious for the next edition.”
These comments are just as relevant today as they were then and really since humans begin communicating with one one another. Gossip, the grape vine, propaganda, commentary, opinions, etc. People don’t like boring and authors of these controversies don’t mind if they exaggerate or bend the truth a little to make a good story greater. I wonder how many of the “talking heads” you see on TV or listen on the radio actually believe in what they are saying? I’m willing to bet not that many. But to get paid hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars for the sake of ratings can persuade some people to sell their integrity to the highest bidder.
On a related subject, the “main stream media” gets blamed for spreading fake news and misinformation. However, many who blame the media are members of the same group to which they accuse. Who is the “mainstream media”? CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX (yes FOX too), CNN, Spotify, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Sky News, Newsmax, Blaze, America’s Voice, OAN, FIRST, TYT plus podcast, radio, newspapers and magazines, etc. Basically whoever gets paid for their comments and whose comments are accessible by air, cable, streaming, social media apps or print. There is no difference between Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, Rachel Maddow and Don Lemon when it comes being part of the mainstream media. They all work for huge, billion dollar conglomerates and they depend on ratings and advertising revenue to keep their shows on the air. Also, with all these 24 hours “news shows”, they are all forced to fill seats with people who are not qualified to talk about much of anything (i.e. assistant to the temporary administrator of retired Defense Department official under a dead ex-president). I was told early in life that “opinions are like assholes; everybody has one”. Personally, I no longer watch any news programs other than half hour evening network and local news to see what’s happening with major national and world events and events around my area. I don’t need for anyone to tell me what they “think’ someone said or did. I can figure that out myself.
