The short answer.

They own the media, so it's up to the opposition to blast 'em when they do it. If we don't hammer them, they don't get to feel the pain that will instill a Pavlovian fear of lying to keep them honest. And they're too stupid to know the real facts.

have television sets that only get one channel. Fox News.

Actually, I think the first two responses sum it up nicely. We don't attack their lies vigorously enough, and they have a constituency that will believe anything, no matter how idiotic or outrageously false it might be, if it comes from a Republican.

Last edited Fri Sep 7, 2012, 07:11 PM - Edit history (1)

Is should be no surprise to us, but many of us grew up in an era with the Fairness Doctrine and before the FCC allowed the sale of media and the mixing of the different types. That was why FDR created the FCC, to ensure media diversity and give all, not just the richest and most powerful the opportunity to influence public opinion.

Some did not know that these changes occurred, but many did and went to protest the Bush era FCC public hearings in which Michael Powell ramrodded the decisions through. Although the sale of media was facilitated under Clinton in what was hailed as more diversity. People didn't much notice as the rich bought up the right to broadcast, or entrepreneurs made their fortunes by monopolies.

So some are shocked at the condition that the media in the USA is in, while many were tending to the many challenges in life, these changes took effect and have narrowed the public focus. In a number of parts of the country, there is no media whatsoever but FOX and Clear Channel.

It was not the decision of the people living there, except there is that sacred cow who must not be eaten, capitalism, and the notion espoused that the FCC with all the other New Deal ideas to prevent fascism and economic ruin, and fight propaganda, came to be seen as socialism and old fashioned. To be gotten rid of for the brave new world of modern and more diverse methods of communication.

But that didn't take care of the issue of diversity of opinion, and they've been narrowing the focus for a long time from between right and far right. They've used every psychological method there is to influence people with emotionalism and bigotry.

At first the intolerance of other opinions in the political, religious and social realm was just done with shutting the mikes off of the opposition, firing the pundits who didn't toe the conservative party line, or just using the social dynamics of their programs to marginalize the liberals, etc.

The hatred and bigotry was less obvious, but it's been growing for over 20 years with hate radio. And now they're showing us who they're for with no gloves. They've been doing it for years in more subtle ways but they own so much now, they don't care.

They blatantly lie, edit or refuse to allow video or the words of progressives, liberals and Obama. They pushed Citizens United. That is the best answer I can give your question, with my opinion thrown in.