Propaganda and opinion in news reports

inferno · #1 04-09-2003, 01:41 PM

We have been arguing a lot about conflicting news reports which are coming from different points of view. It is hard to believe 70% of what is being reported because of this bias. There is a saying that goes that there are 3 sides to every story, Person A's story, Person B's story, and the truth. While one person's story may be closer to the truth, it doesn't mean that all accounts given by that person is true. Another thing is that a lot of opinions have been thrown around in the media and have been taken and reported as facts. While hearing varying opinions on a topic is good, it isn't right that those opinions be voiced as solid facts when they can't be confirmed.

kaoru-tochiro · #2 04-09-2003, 01:55 PM

Well, the lies of the American press seem more sincere than the lies of the Iraqi press.

YogsVR4 · #3 04-09-2003, 02:02 PM

Part of the problem is the truth is based on perceptions. What is more important are accurate facts without the opinions.

As an example -
FACT: Iraq had missles that violated the 1441 resolution because they were not claimed in their document.

Now, I say that violation should have put the UN on course to authorize force to remove Saddam. The truth is the UN has no backbone and has no stomach to stand up on its stated principles.

However, others will argue that the violation was not grave enought to authorize force. So their truth is that the UN was doing what it should.

Two truths that seperated by perception. The fact didn't change.

MattyG · #4 04-09-2003, 03:17 PM

I think its a good illustration of how much power is placed in the hands of the media, and Im talking about both sides. Its kinda scary really.

taranaki · #5 04-09-2003, 03:38 PM

the truth is what you believe for yourself.There is no such thing as a common truth,information retention,perception,and information processing capabilities vary from person to person,to an extent that two people could watch exactlty the same events and draw different conclusions.

Asignificant majority of the media has delivered more rhetoric than information over the last three months.Journalism isn't entirely dead,but it has taken a direct hit and urgently needs attention.

T4 Primera · #6 04-10-2003, 11:52 PM

Joyful Crowds

taranaki · #7 04-11-2003, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by T4 Primera
Joyful Crowds

I'm running with that angle already!

kaoru-tochiro · #8 04-11-2003, 07:29 AM

I'd be pretty jubilant too if they killed the dirty cops in my town and got rid of the fat mayor.

Pick · #9 04-14-2003, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kaoru-tochiro
Well, the lies of the American press seem more sincere than the lies of the Iraqi press.

What lies? Examples......

NSX-R-SSJ20K · #10 04-14-2003, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pick

What lies? Examples......

:o

nope i wouldn't know i'm in England but to say there isn't propoganda involved in US Press is naive

jon@af · #11 04-14-2003, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NSX-R-SSJ20K

...to say there isn't propoganda involved in US Press is naive

w3rd, It sucks.

Milliardo · #12 04-15-2003, 02:17 AM

I think we can draw a lesson on what Obi-Wan said to Luke: The many truths we cling to depend on our point of view. That would go along with news reports. Do news reports have propaganda? Yes. Did both sides in the war used propaganda? Yes. It all comes down then to perception: which are you inclined to believe? When we say inclined, that means that even before you heard or read the news, you already have formed your own opinions and perceptions, so that any news coming from the other side will not be credible to you, and any news coming from the side you lean to is credible to you. This is regardless of whether or not each side is telling the truth. I would think that both sides, in using propaganda, hid some facts about the war. Sooner or later, though, these things will come out.

Pick · #13 04-15-2003, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Milliardo
I think we can draw a lesson on what Obi-Wan said to Luke: The many truths we cling to depend on our point of view. That would go along with news reports. Do news reports have propaganda? Yes. Did both sides in the war used propaganda? Yes. It all comes down then to perception: which are you inclined to believe? When we say inclined, that means that even before you heard or read the news, you already have formed your own opinions and perceptions, so that any news coming from the other side will not be credible to you, and any news coming from the side you lean to is credible to you. This is regardless of whether or not each side is telling the truth. I would think that both sides, in using propaganda, hid some facts about the war. Sooner or later, though, these things will come out.

This is one of your most sensible posts.

I can agree with that.

TexasF355F1 · #14 04-15-2003, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Milliardo
I think we can draw a lesson on what Obi-Wan said to Luke: The many truths we cling to depend on our point of view. That would go along with news reports. Do news reports have propaganda? Yes. Did both sides in the war used propaganda? Yes. It all comes down then to perception: which are you inclined to believe? When we say inclined, that means that even before you heard or read the news, you already have formed your own opinions and perceptions, so that any news coming from the other side will not be credible to you, and any news coming from the side you lean to is credible to you. This is regardless of whether or not each side is telling the truth. I would think that both sides, in using propaganda, hid some facts about the war. Sooner or later, though, these things will come out.

You deserve a round of applause for this comment. I have believed this for a long time, but couldn't find the words to express it. Everyone's going to believe what they want to believe, and thats a fact. Everyone can now pretty much give up sticking up for each side and quit arguing b/c this says it all. Great post Milliardo, keep it up.

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