Reply #43: a fine critique of "lefty" corporate news

[BakedAtAMileHigh]

This is a fine response to Ms. Maddow's show and deserves to be taken seriously as a political critique of media funded by corporations with interests in direct competition to their proclaimed message.

You face a vehement but ultimately empty response: "Ms. Maddow has her own opinions and is not influenced by her corporate paymasters".

This is a powerful one because Ms. Maddow certainly does project the ethos of a strong, educated commentator. She presents finely-crafted opinions (as you mentioned) about everything from the environment to DADT, all well researched and validated.

This is not the point, however. All media, all corporations, have but one single purpose: the creation of value. The only way corporations can effectively hegemonize their power and communication is to insure that ALL the "bases" of the political spectrum are covered and being used to create advertising and marketing revenue. Need to sell the middle-class conservatives? Get Joe Scar. Middle class hetero "liberals" ? Countdown, with Hardball catching the mix between the two. "Progressives" who are strong pro-green and pro-gay rights? Get us Rachel Maddow pronto.

Rachel Maddow is not an exception to the corporate media rules: SHE IS A PART OF THEIR MARKETING STRATEGY. Even if you like her reporting, appreciate her opinions and believe her to be a fine human being (all of which are true for me) you must acknowledge these contradictions if you wish to remain fully awake while viewing.

This is not to blame Ms. Maddow at all. Indeed, I think many sympathize with her plight, which is fairly analogous to the experience of those of us trying to remodel our lives without corporate influence: we are drowning people searching desperately for an island in the middle of the ocean.