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merrily

(45,251 posts)
Sat May 16, 2015, 02:38 AM May 2015

Media seems to have decided to ignore the fact that Sanders is a candidate--

except when they take a snarky pot shot. But mostly, just ignore his candidacy. This includes those we have heretofore considered our friends, like those on the Comedy Network and on MSNBC. Clinton entered the race with 91% name recognition and hundreds of millions of dollars. Is this additional thumb on the scale really necessary? If so, for whom? It's certainly not for the benefit of readers or viewers. Even as bad for democracy as mass media has become in recent decades, this is not justifiable.

I am not sure programs or networks pay any more attention to our emails or calls than do our elected "representatives." But, sponsors might. Social media is also an option. Other ideas, anyone?

71 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Media seems to have decided to ignore the fact that Sanders is a candidate-- (Original Post) merrily May 2015 OP
Would you have a law requiring the media to cover him at a certain amount? bluestateguy May 2015 #1
I don't think merrily was even implying that! Duppers May 2015 #5
You would be correct. I did not imply that. Not even a little. merrily May 2015 #23
We already knew you did not imply that. Enthusiast May 2015 #56
Even though we did have the Fairness Doctrine and it was still on the books until 2011. nt Snotcicles May 2015 #63
This group is a safe haven for supporters of Bernie Sanders. smokey nj May 2015 #10
And that post was NOT a violation of the SOP. Agschmid May 2015 #15
No, but some posts should come with a warning: Jackpine Radical May 2015 #27
OT Ques fredamae May 2015 #29
Just steal the URL. Jackpine Radical May 2015 #38
Thanks...It really suits my needs fredamae May 2015 #39
Inform me why that post needed a warning. Agschmid May 2015 #36
Because the poster treated her original observation, that Sanders isn't getting coverage, Jackpine Radical May 2015 #41
If you have a problem with my post alert or take it up with the other hosts. smokey nj May 2015 #45
He is under no obligation to explain anything to you. Puglover May 2015 #62
Thank you, Puglover. smokey nj May 2015 #64
It's not antagonizing. Agschmid May 2015 #65
Thank you. merrily May 2015 #24
Straw man. merrily May 2015 #22
It's nice that you got ganged up on huh? Agschmid May 2015 #37
Better to be ignored? daleanime May 2015 #58
The deck is stacked in favor of Hillary, no doubt. InAbLuEsTaTe May 2015 #2
Yes, but let's face it: flor-de-jasmim May 2015 #3
Couldn't agree more - it's just a shame. InAbLuEsTaTe May 2015 #4
Precisely Sherman A1 May 2015 #7
The Media Has Decided That Americans Can't Handle The Truth cantbeserious May 2015 #6
Bernie scares TPTB gelsdorf May 2015 #8
While what you say is certainly true, TM99 May 2015 #9
Yes, but he raised 1.5 milllion dollars the first day. More than Rubio, Santorum, etc. and they are merrily May 2015 #21
Oh, I definitely agree. TM99 May 2015 #26
I want to know why Chris Hayes has done his little marym625 May 2015 #31
Good for you! Bernie needs action from us, and dollars. merrily May 2015 #40
Well I have no dollars marym625 May 2015 #43
You make up for it with action. I love the media action posts and act on them. merrily May 2015 #47
ok. NYT marym625 May 2015 #50
My vote for the NYT....... daleanime May 2015 #59
Well then! marym625 May 2015 #61
What Bernie has raised has come from grassroots folks, like us Duppers May 2015 #33
That was not long after his filibuster, when he was no threat to the Dem establishment. merrily May 2015 #35
COMCAST, Viacom, and Rupert Murdoch FlatBaroque May 2015 #11
No one in mass media seems to be interested in mentioning Bernie. merrily May 2015 #19
A few guys I work with didn't know who Bernie was. rickford66 May 2015 #12
The right may well ignore him, too. merrily May 2015 #17
It is clear fredamae May 2015 #30
+ 1 Duppers May 2015 #34
Very true. More is required of supporters of Bernie than of supporters of establishment candidate. merrily May 2015 #42
Money = Corporate - No money = Grassroots/People fredamae May 2015 #46
Exactly! merrily May 2015 #48
So has Harry Reid Autumn May 2015 #13
Yes, I saw that interview. merrily May 2015 #18
I found that disgusting. Autumn May 2015 #20
Yes. We can expect lots more. Those who support Bernie are really going to have to step up, merrily May 2015 #25
we are in the first phase of the struggle: corkhead May 2015 #14
In Ghandi's day, media was very different. merrily May 2015 #16
So do Dems in Leadership fredamae May 2015 #28
MONEY matters, sadly. The media doesnt care what we say or want, but if Bernie all of a sudden randys1 May 2015 #32
It's not just the money. Jackpine Radical May 2015 #44
Agree with last remark, but what I wanna know is are those folks who dont watch randys1 May 2015 #49
That is truly the question. Jackpine Radical May 2015 #51
I think merrily would make an awesome host. NYC_SKP May 2015 #52
You just want to share the pain.... daleanime May 2015 #60
Thank you, NYC. merrily May 2015 #66
The only way to get the media's attention is to pay them millions for advertising. Koinos May 2015 #53
This message was self-deleted by its author Corruption Inc May 2015 #54
The problem is: Koinos May 2015 #55
Bernie supporters on Reddit are doing a nice job. Enthusiast May 2015 #57
We need to protest when media ignores him. merrily May 2015 #67
This is totally expected. It's for the stockholders, and others. Based on fear. Gregorian May 2015 #68
I don't think it is for the stockholders at all. merrily May 2015 #69
What I meant was that we should abandon fear, and Gregorian May 2015 #70
Thank you for clarifying. You were not incoherent at all. merrily May 2015 #71

bluestateguy

(44,173 posts)
1. Would you have a law requiring the media to cover him at a certain amount?
Sat May 16, 2015, 03:03 AM
May 2015

I hate to tell you this, but there is no constitutional right to media coverage.

Duppers

(28,094 posts)
5. I don't think merrily was even implying that!
Sat May 16, 2015, 04:11 AM
May 2015

It was only a correct observation about unfairness.


Smartass much?

Jackpine Radical

(45,274 posts)
38. Just steal the URL.
Sat May 16, 2015, 11:15 AM
May 2015

Or use this one (delete the space after http

http: //westchestertownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Straw-Man_500.gif

Jackpine Radical

(45,274 posts)
41. Because the poster treated her original observation, that Sanders isn't getting coverage,
Sat May 16, 2015, 11:19 AM
May 2015

as if she had espoused a law forcing the press to do that coverage, and then attacked the latter, nonexistent, comment rather than dealing with what she actually said.

A straw man is a common informal fallacy based on false representation of an opponent's argument.

And I suppose it didn't actually need a warning, but I needed some excuse to use the neat graphic.

Puglover

(16,380 posts)
62. He is under no obligation to explain anything to you.
Sat May 16, 2015, 02:18 PM
May 2015

I am going to ask you respectfully this once to stop with the antagonizing posts to our hosts.

And it's the last time I ask.

Agschmid

(28,749 posts)
65. It's not antagonizing.
Sat May 16, 2015, 04:35 PM
May 2015

It's a perfectly okay question to ask.

I am a Bernie supporter, I am a member of this group, I was a host of this group, and the blue text SOP we are still using is the one I wrote.

I am frustrated by the consistent warning I see, on posts that don't deserve it. It makes the group feel unwelcoming.

I've significantly reduced my own posting here because I don't feel welcomed. People have abused me and told me I'm not a real Bernie supporter, that's NOT what a safe haven group should be.

flor-de-jasmim

(2,124 posts)
3. Yes, but let's face it:
Sat May 16, 2015, 03:38 AM
May 2015

The deck is stacked in favor of WHOEVER the corporate forces behind the media choose to support.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
7. Precisely
Sat May 16, 2015, 04:29 AM
May 2015

as it was in the last several cycles. It's about generating $'s for the media outlets, not journalism.

It is really just something like a poorly scripted reality show.

gelsdorf

(240 posts)
8. Bernie scares TPTB
Sat May 16, 2015, 05:17 AM
May 2015

and this, of course, must not be allowed to happen. They might need a night light to go to sleep. Why, TPTB, may have to pay their fair share! That's not the 'Merika, we know!! Morans!

 

TM99

(8,352 posts)
9. While what you say is certainly true,
Sat May 16, 2015, 05:34 AM
May 2015

it has only been about 2 weeks since Sanders announced.

Comedy Network & MSNB have NEVER been friends to economic progressive liberals. If it is social liberalism, sure, they are right there. But economic? Not on your life. These channels are owned by the same media corporations that only everything else.

The illusion of democracy is all that is left here in the US of A.

Social media, word of mouth, grassroots, maybe boycotting, etc. are definitely routes to take with this.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
21. Yes, but he raised 1.5 milllion dollars the first day. More than Rubio, Santorum, etc. and they are
Sat May 16, 2015, 10:08 AM
May 2015

getting more coverage than Bernie. I don't see that as innocent or organic.

 

TM99

(8,352 posts)
26. Oh, I definitely agree.
Sat May 16, 2015, 10:17 AM
May 2015

It stinks, and I get angry sometimes trying to figure out how as an individual I can personally fight back against this corporate take-over.

marym625

(17,997 posts)
31. I want to know why Chris Hayes has done his little
Sat May 16, 2015, 10:41 AM
May 2015

Clinton for Millinials but not Bernie. He's been in politics much longer than she. And I am going to keep tweeting it to him until I get an answer

marym625

(17,997 posts)
43. Well I have no dollars
Sat May 16, 2015, 11:20 AM
May 2015

We have a media action post every week. Looking for suggestions for week 4. I posted this morning. Please give yours!

merrily

(45,251 posts)
47. You make up for it with action. I love the media action posts and act on them.
Sat May 16, 2015, 11:32 AM
May 2015

Per this thread, I think we should put the NYT on blast. And keep up with Bernie on Facebook. (I've been liking my brains out.) But, that's more of an ongoing thing.

marym625

(17,997 posts)
50. ok. NYT
Sat May 16, 2015, 11:41 AM
May 2015

I wait to see what other suggestions and how many for what before I put up week 4 Monday. There's a good suggestion on there now but I don't remember what it is now but I liked it.

Not sure which is better to start. Smaller outlets or huge ones

And thanks!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026669939

daleanime

(17,796 posts)
59. My vote for the NYT.......
Sat May 16, 2015, 02:05 PM
May 2015

if they had better coverage, I might even reconsider renewing my subscription.

marym625

(17,997 posts)
61. Well then!
Sat May 16, 2015, 02:11 PM
May 2015

We need as many around here as possible!

Can you put it on the suggestion post, please? There are a couple other suggestions there and people should see what others are thinking. Maybe they'll go with NYT if they see it

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12806640

Duppers

(28,094 posts)
33. What Bernie has raised has come from grassroots folks, like us
Sat May 16, 2015, 10:48 AM
May 2015

The corporate PTB hold the huge economic reigns of the networks, not us smaller donors.

They do not care how many millions we donate. It's sad and infuriating. It's therefore up to us to get info about Bernie out in any way we can. The main avenue will be ads on the very networks that are ignoring him.

Note, however, he has recently been on CBS's Face the Nation, NBC news, and MSNBC covered his announcement.

Just found this interview on TDS/Jon Stewart waaay back in 2011:
http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/wjezpa/exclusive---bernie-sanders-extended-interview-pt--1

Too bad Stewart has had him on recently.






merrily

(45,251 posts)
35. That was not long after his filibuster, when he was no threat to the Dem establishment.
Sat May 16, 2015, 10:56 AM
May 2015

More recently, Stewart has thrown some snark his way several times.

I adore and admire Stewart greatly, but he is pure establishment.

FlatBaroque

(3,160 posts)
11. COMCAST, Viacom, and Rupert Murdoch
Sat May 16, 2015, 08:19 AM
May 2015

and not interested in a Bernie Sanders candidacy. and mark my words, the more traction he gets the more they will try to destroy him.

rickford66

(5,498 posts)
12. A few guys I work with didn't know who Bernie was.
Sat May 16, 2015, 08:30 AM
May 2015

These are well educated engineers. Something big has to happen to get him into the news cycles. It may come from right wing attacks on his policy proposals or they may want to use his candidacy to hurt Hillary.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
42. Very true. More is required of supporters of Bernie than of supporters of establishment candidate.
Sat May 16, 2015, 11:20 AM
May 2015

fredamae

(4,458 posts)
46. Money = Corporate - No money = Grassroots/People
Sat May 16, 2015, 11:29 AM
May 2015

Media = Corporate Representation
No media = Grassroots, people powered Representation because "we" want it bad enough to make it happen.

This is a Grassroots Effort. A successful grassroots movement Is exactly as you said and it's an "old/new" way to campaign.
We have been spoiled by the work BIG $ campaigns run. Nothing is really ask of us except for Money and a Vote. Well paid Corporate Campaign Staff do all the hard work for us.
Grassroots, We are the Campaign. Make it or break it. It's up to "us".

merrily

(45,251 posts)
25. Yes. We can expect lots more. Those who support Bernie are really going to have to step up,
Sat May 16, 2015, 10:15 AM
May 2015

dig deep, lean forward and all the rest of the sayings.

corkhead

(6,119 posts)
14. we are in the first phase of the struggle:
Sat May 16, 2015, 08:52 AM
May 2015
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win
- Mahatma Gandhi

randys1

(16,286 posts)
32. MONEY matters, sadly. The media doesnt care what we say or want, but if Bernie all of a sudden
Sat May 16, 2015, 10:48 AM
May 2015

has huge amounts of money coming in, then he will get their attention.

It is up to us.

P.S.

also donate here


http://www.russfeingold.com/

Russ may be the only hope we have someday.

Jackpine Radical

(45,274 posts)
44. It's not just the money.
Sat May 16, 2015, 11:28 AM
May 2015

It's the Hegemony. Bernie's pounding on it & trying to crack it already. They're not gonna let him have a bigger hammer if they can help it.

Bernie's best chance lies in the fact that the mass media are becoming increasingly irrelevant.

randys1

(16,286 posts)
49. Agree with last remark, but what I wanna know is are those folks who dont watch
Sat May 16, 2015, 11:33 AM
May 2015

sunday morning tv or fox news or msnbc, are they gonna vote?

Jackpine Radical

(45,274 posts)
51. That is truly the question.
Sat May 16, 2015, 11:41 AM
May 2015

One notion that gives me some hope is the idea that many potential voters stay home because neither choice excites them. Bernie's different enough, his message is forthright enough, that he may awaken all sorts of folk from their apathy.

Koinos

(2,792 posts)
53. The only way to get the media's attention is to pay them millions for advertising.
Sat May 16, 2015, 12:10 PM
May 2015

The primary and general election do for media what the holiday season does for retail.

TV time is where most of the campaign billions end up.

Moreover, most of the major networks, cable stations, radio stations, and newspapers are owned by the same corporate puppeteers who want their "puppets" to prevail in elections.

Grassroots door-to-door work and grassroots contributions may not be enough.

The problem is that "grassroots" folk are working so hard for so little that they don't have a whole lot of time or money to contribute to political campaigns.

In the end, even grassroots campaigns need benevolent and sympathetic millionaires to come to the rescue. Though few in number, there are such persons.

There are members of the 1% who do not like inequality any more than we do.

Response to merrily (Original post)

Koinos

(2,792 posts)
55. The problem is:
Sat May 16, 2015, 12:54 PM
May 2015

How does Bernie get his message out without media? The Internet (with DU) is not enough. Most people depend upon TV, radio, and newspapers. If a tree falls in the forest, it isn't going to get heard unless someone talks about it. The primary source of both education and miseducation in our society is the media. The "deluded segment of our population" that you are talking about is most people. They need "enlightenment" of some kind in order to be educated. What electronic or print media will provide this? How will Bernie reach more than already loyal followers without buying some sort of access to advertising? Word of mouth never won a political campaign. If the media won't give free time to a candidate they deem dangerous to their financial well-being, then that candidate has to -- like it or not -- pay for exposure. For good or for ill, "the corrupted media" (Fox is way beyond corrupted) is all we've got.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
67. We need to protest when media ignores him.
Sat May 16, 2015, 08:41 PM
May 2015

For the NYT, it has to be to the Times. For TV, maybe protesting to sponsors would work better.

Gregorian

(23,867 posts)
68. This is totally expected. It's for the stockholders, and others. Based on fear.
Sun May 17, 2015, 12:10 AM
May 2015

I believe the fear is that this house of cards could come crashing down if someone rocks the boat. I know what Thomas Jefferson has to say about it.

The worst thing that can happen is like what happened to me today. Talking with a longstanding friend who has an air of cynicism. Our conversation boiled down to this: we're using resources. The bottom line is we have a standard of living that is maintained one way or another. Some of this is true. We'll be mining ore the day Bernie takes office. It's hard to get people to realize that things could be run in a more humane way, and still keep the stockholders happy.

I'm struggling to find a counter to this emptiness I feel when faced with this form of apathy.

I know Bernie's message is true, and I also know that we do not have it good in America. We can do better. I also think that as much as they try to marginalize Bernie, his message will resonate.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
69. I don't think it is for the stockholders at all.
Sun May 17, 2015, 12:15 AM
May 2015

Nor do I think anything like apocalypse will occur if Sanders is elected.

If you are thinking that Thomas Jefferson made some derogatory comment about corporations, that is an urban legend. That comment cannot be sourced to him. If you are thinking of something else, you should probably be more specific, if you want to be understood.

Gregorian

(23,867 posts)
70. What I meant was that we should abandon fear, and
Sun May 17, 2015, 01:27 AM
May 2015

aim our sights at improving the humanitarian quality of our country, while being brave and shaking up the corrupt structure that doesn't serve the people well.

I think what I'm trying to say is there are two schools, one being conservative, the other liberal. One seems to be blind to anything but the return on investment.

People have, and will suffer. And I want to keep that to a minimum. That's far more important than return on investment. Bernie isn't going to do what Bush did, and if these people can't see that then I fear for what we will turn into if Bernie doesn't get in office. That almost sounds pathetic to say, but I think it's true.

I think Jefferson was right on when he advocated shaking the government up every so often. But this frightens the hell out of people with money.

So we've got these basic types. Two mentalities. I hang out on DU because it really feels like we have this in common. But I am so frustrated (oh shit, what was the OT of this thread? I should go to bed. ), because I am absolutely certain that Bernie is what/who we need in the White House. And I've got a very keen bullshit detector. Yet this other type of mentality just doesn't see it. This is what we have to deal with; to overcome; to convince. What I'm almost saying is that we kind of need to all get together to make this happen. This tug of war that I've witnessed in DC over the last 7 years is torture. I can only hope that Bernie's message resonates with people across political lines.

Well, I think it's time to go to sleep. I'm typing incoherently I think.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
71. Thank you for clarifying. You were not incoherent at all.
Sun May 17, 2015, 02:42 AM
May 2015

Yes, I am sure the plutocrats don't want Bernie. Question is, can we somehow pressure establishment media to cover him anyway?

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