Media conglomeration at its best.

The following post is in response to a video that we watched in class. Although it is not campus controversy related, its all about media controversy, so have a read:

The United State’s conservative, media-masking mentality shines through in the documentary OUTFOXED: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism. The movie analyzes Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomeration, with specific focus on Fox News’ right wing agenda. Furthermore, it looks at the power and influence of the American media, with their overall ability to shape the nation.

Murdoch’s cross-media ownership and his overall, overarching influence on the world is quite terrifying. His media network influences more than 500,000 people globally via a variety of mediums, all laced with a taste of right-wing conservatism. Fox News is one of the key networks in which his agenda truly shines through. The broadcasters present a façade of “fair and balanced” journalism, while peddling right-wing ideals to viewers. Furthermore through generalizations, biased reporting and obnoxious news tactics, the network has been able to come across as legitimate. They have come to gain control through spreading fear and labeling anyone who opposes them a threat to the nation.

However, the documentary also presents a variety of left wing biases with little representation and defense from current Fox News employees or Murdoch’s media agency. In addition, the documentary seems to forget that Murdoch is a capitalist and businessmen. His intentions are profit-based, and he’s succeeded through establishing the programming and network he has today. He has been able to succeed through aligning himself with a government that rewards capitalism and growing business within North America.

The main issue however, is that high profits and wealth within an economy do not necessarily translate to a healthy media industry. The documentary proves the overall effects of a network that emphasizes infotainment and places profits before people. In the end, higher regulation is needed within the states to prevent agenda-based journalism from airing. Governments and media watchdogs need to take on an increased role, similar to that of the CRTC here in Canada. Overall, the race to the bottom of the culture barrel will only continue, unless we achieve a balance between informative news and profitability.