integrating theory--dialogue
15 years ago
Saturday, November 1, 2008
media and minority beliefs
I thought it was interesting how Noelle-Neumann thought media helps in accelerating the silence of minority beliefs. With television magazines and all media outlets we are shown only the popular opinions. The mainstream media does not report or show ideas that are not readily accepted by society. Martha Stewart would never have a segment on something that is controversial or out of the ordinary. Her viewers and demographic watch her show because they listen to Martha and only want to learn how to make a chocolate cake. Martha Stewart"s time in prison is never talked about or discussed on her daytime show, instead they focus on other things. The media does shape what ideas we think about and also what we don't talk about. The media definitely plays a huge role in our lives.
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I thought this was interesting as well, it reminded me of Chapter 26's story about Peter Jennings and Ted Koppel reporting on the night after 9/11 about the American public's burning question - "Why do some people hate America so much that they respond with glee at the carnage caused by terrorists?" Despite speaking of extended assignments in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, that was the only night that it aired. That supposed series never showed. Later on, as a guest on David Letterman, Dan Rather made a public statement in blind support of what was taking place and the President's actions - "He makes the decisions, and - you know as just one American - wherever he wants me to line up, just tell me where."
It seemed that after a couple more lesser known journalists criticized the president and subsequently apoligized, there was no more discouraging comments from any media outlet. Even after we invaded Iraq and no weapons of mass destruction were found no one seemed to question that they existed. No matter how long we came up empty handed, no one wanted to step out of line and call a spade a spade. The networks were victim to the spiral of silence. Or...perhaps the powers that be put the kobash on any negative reporting that might insinuate that "American political and corporate policy might be a contributing cause of enmity." (p. 340)
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