General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: An Overheard Conversation at the MSP Airport ... [View all]susanna
(5,231 posts)I'm in my 40s. My family watched a lot of TV when I was growing up, especially the news. I actually remember what those shows were like with the Fairness Doctrine in place, and I'll tell anyone who will listen that the over-the-top political divisiveness in this country did not really start until the corporate "infotainment" crap kicked into high gear after RR's gutting of the FD. I remember the first time I heard Rush - I was completely floored by his vitriol. It just felt wrong. Whether or not I truly understood what propaganda was, I thought his show was a horrible thing - there was no give or take, such as hearing the civil discussion of competing points of view; there was no real fairness to it at all. The era of "I'm right, you're wrong" had begun.
The biggest reason that your post struck a chord with me is: when corporate interests really began controlling the media post-FD (and this includes TV news/newspapers/radio) I stopped watching/reading/listening to them, preferring to find more neutral sources. The Web was a lifesaver in that regard. Now, that was my path - my family, however, still watch TV, read the paper, and listen to political radio. I doubt you will be surprised to find that I am the sole surviving liberal in the family. Sadly, all of them were once liberal themselves. It's devastating to me, and I wonder if my tuning out gave me a fighting chance to avoid the brainwashing.
Just some random thoughts based on a great post.