General Chat

Got to much power, who is running the country, the government or the Media? Brian

The media run the country, as they have the power to ruin more peoples lives. Lou

Certainly have Brian. Public opinion is easily influenced. In today's Democracy it seems that the Media is the unofficial and unpredictable opposition of all parties.

But they should not have the power, something should be done to stop them, but what? Brian

Well I say power, It's influence really. Not much you can do about that unless we start censoring the papers and TV. That'll never happen, so people will just have to either start thinking for themselves, or just accept the way things are.

The media is far too influential but then it's the medium that most of us are exposed to, whether it's tv, radio or the papers. Some of us are more influenced by others and even on here I see people making assumptions based on tabloid headlines or misrepresentations without looking into the facts behind or into other less biased sources. The media only presents news and opinons - it's up to us what we take in. What's sad is that the media in general has the freedom to report too much - so that we have politicians/ celebrities/ sports people etc tried by public opinion based on their private lives and people accused of crimes unable to have fair hearings in court. I don't like censorship but the newspapers continually show poor judgement in what they report and I do think that their freedom of speech should be limited a little.

Couldn't agree more Brian. Certainly makes you wonder who'd want to be an MP ... or perhaps it explains why there's a distinct lack of talent at Westminster. The influence of the media on people, right across the board, is simply scary. Don't normally buy papers anymore, but happened to see one in a waiting room a while back - the language used to tell a story was practically inciting racism. Thought it was a one-off, then saw the same paper a week later .... a similar scenario. Horrific! We are being manipulated. What's the alternative though? State-run newspapers & broadcasters?? J PS: David, yes I agree it's up to us how much we take in, but how many of us actually have time/energy to research beyond what we're being told. It's not so much that opinions are being offered, more a case of presenting something in a certain light by the skillful use of language - designed to create a certain opinion in the mind of the reader.

if it is a sensation then it sells papers, They were trying to make people be against Prince Charles and Camerlia wedding but ordinary people did not get taken in. James

James - agree about the 'sensation' ... however it's the underlying tone of the seemingly 'normal' stories that worries me as much as sensational ones. Have you noticed yourself almost unwittingly forming an opinion after reading 'news'? That's the really dangerous stuff. Oh gawd, I'll be into 'conspiracy theory' if I carry on ... Jane

Jane, If there is a 'distinct lack of talent' at Westminster, the general public have only themselves to blame, as they put them there - or at least the proportion who could be bothered to get out and vote in the General Election did. Our own MP is certainly not lacking in 'talent'. He's a young, dynamic person who has lived in his constituency for some time and continues to do so with his young family. Prior to his election as our MP, he spent countless hours working on behalf of local people and addressing their concerns on all sorts of fronts. Anyone who contacts him receives a personal reply from him. He's very vocal and he ensures that he's well-informed about the issues he's discussing. He has always kept in touch with local people, attending residents' meetings, liaising with authorities on residents' behalf and representing their interests. He is currently campaigning against ward closures at our local hospital and has played a large part in trying to solve the awful parking problems faced in our town, as well as addressing many other issues. Having been a cancer sufferer himself, he was immediately ready to offer an invitation to Gaynor Bear to tour the Houses of Parliament and help with promoting the London leg of the Relay. No matter which Party politicians represent, if they were all as dedicated to their consitituents' concerns as he is, there would be far fewer complaints about politicians being out of touch with the public. CB >|<

I stopped buying 'newspapers' several years ago as I found myself forming opinions based on the slant of the paper I was reading. If everybody stopped buying daily papers, even if in protest, for just a week their attitude would soon change. We can change things and if we care enough we will. Jean x.

Personally I'm glad we have the media to keep us informed of what this far from truthful Government is up to....