The illusion of choice in media

[cthulhu_waves]

Ever wonder why you see and hear the same 20 artists on the rotation on radio & television? No, it's not because people are calling the radio stations requesting the songs incessantly.

90% of the media is controlled by only 6 companies: GE, Newscorp, Disney, Viacom & Time Warner. Compare that to 1983 when media was owned by 50 companies. According to FreePress.net, "media consolidation means less diversity in programming and ownership, fewer voices and viewpoints, less coverage of local issues that matter to communities and less of the unbiased, independent and critical journalism we need to prevent abuses of power." Media-consolidation has affected the balance and diversity of today's music, which is especially evident when it comes to hip hop.

[pornmasta]

the illusion of choice on gfy: you have to listen mrs robinson (or just don't click)

[Barefootsies]

Interesting article.

We were discussing this very thing back in the early 90's in my communications classes. Since then, there have been even more monolith mergers in communications, and media companies. Which doesn't even get into the insurance, banks or financial sector.

In short, you have these massive global conglomerates controlling the message to all.

[kane]

Back in the early 90's I worked for a small record label. At that time it was still actually possible to get unknown bands on the radio because there were still a lot of independently owned radio stations and college radio stations. They might not have huge audiences, but their audiences were passionate.

Now, as the graphic shows, those are pretty much all gone. Not only do a few companies now own just about all the stations the also have the FCC in their pocket so when new licenses are made available they make sure to get them as well.

The internet killed college radio as well. Those colleges still have stations, but they now broadcast online and with all the other options hardly anyone listens to them. These days it takes a lot of money and connections to get on the radio. If you can you can be huge in no time because they all play the same songs, but it is a very exclusive club.

It is pretty sad.

Also, the same thing can be said about the news. Dan Rather was on Bill Maher the other night and he was talking about how basically 6 companies now control all the news in the US.

[Catalyst]

there is another graphic someplace the shows what those big six own which is scary..

[cthulhu_waves]

This makes me wonder which type of news are released and which are filtered.

[DK]

Dan Rather breaks it down for you
https://youtube.com/watch?v=IkUBTNUVNkU

[DWB]

Porn is heading the same way, if not there already.

[Brujah]

Ted Turner's been talking about it also, I remember an interesting piece he wrote early 2000s. This might be it, or maybe there's another.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/fea...07.turner.html

To get a flavor of how consolidated the industry has become, consider this: In 1990, the major broadcast networks--ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox--fully or partially owned just 12.5 percent of the new series they aired. By 2000, it was 56.3 percent. Just two years later, it had surged to 77.5 percent.

[Brujah]

Originally Posted by JohnnyClips

Yup

People who think that "conspiracies" don't happen need only to look at what Jorge Carlin said to the tune of ....there are only two main political parties, a handful of media channels owned by the same people, a handful of banks owned by the same people but if you want a bagel there are 23 flavors

Whole thing is rigged

Note: it isn't that people don't think conspiracies happen, it's that they just don't believe every possible conspiracy theory is true. You seem to believe them all.

[L-Pink]

If I'm not mistaken until recently there was a limit on the amount of tv/radio stations one entity could own.

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[Brujah]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

If I'm not mistaken until recently there was a limit on the amount of tv/radio stations one entity could own.

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The Ted Turner article from 2004 above mentions that.

"In the summer of 2003, the FCC raised the national audience-reach cap from 35 percent to 45 percent. The FCC also allowed corporations to own a newspaper and a TV station in the same market and permitted corporations to own three TV stations in the largest markets, up from two, and two stations in medium-sized markets, up from one. Unexpectedly, the public rebelled. Hundreds of thousands of citizens complained to the FCC. Groups from the National Organization for Women to the National Rifle Association demanded that Congress reverse the ruling. And like-minded lawmakers, including many long-time opponents of media consolidation, took action, pushing the cap back down to 35, until--under strong White House pressure--it was revised back up to 39 percent. This June, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit threw out the rules that would have allowed corporations to own more television and radio stations in a single market, let stand the higher 39 percent cap, and also upheld the rule permitting a corporation to own a TV station and a newspaper in the same market; then, it sent the issues back to the same FCC that had pushed through the pro-consolidation rules in the first place.."

No idea how that compares today. Couldn't find it yet.

[L-Pink]

Originally Posted by JohnnyClips

lol yea...I'm sure

You are such a loser fucking idiot. I have never seen anyone as stupid and weird as you.

FACT: The Telecommunications Act of 1996 lifted ownership limits for radio stations, leading to incredible consolidation of radio station ownership. One company alone, Clear Channel Inc., owns 850 radio stations across the country. Before the change, a company could not own more than 40 stations nationwide.

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[samadhi_]

Controlling both sides of the chessboard makes winning much easier.

[Brujah]

Originally Posted by pornmasta

the illusion of choice on gfy: you have to listen mrs robinson (or just don't click)

And the lyrics are obviously the reason for this.

And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)
God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
(Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)

[Brujah]

Originally Posted by JohnnyClips

Yea they really obey those laws and rules....laws, rules, regulations, etc are for us slaves and NOT for those in power. Grow up and learn a thing or two.

Spirit of the law is rarely followed, but letter of the law is. Loopholes exist, and obviously the more money you have the easier it is to find or use them.

[Brujah]

I'll give you this JohnnyClips, I have to question my own sanity and intelligence based on the fact that I've engaged in conversation with you in the first place.

[L-Pink]

Originally Posted by JohnnyClips

Yea they really obey those laws and rules....laws, rules, regulations, etc are for us slaves and NOT for those in power. Grow up and learn a thing or two.

What the fuck are you talking about? Raving off topic idiot.

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[Harmon]

Dear JohnnyClips,

Please do us all a favor and off yourself. Thank you.

Sincerely,

The Entirety of the GFY Community

[BIGTYMER]

Thank God for the Internet.

[DatingFactory]

another good find, you are on a roll!

[pimpmaster9000]

that + the fact that the media is not in the business of reporting the truth, they are in the business of selling news.....choice has little to do with it...

[HomeFry]

Originally Posted by JohnnyClips

Nice

Just remember, this world is an illusion albeit a persistent one. That's one of my quotes

That's Einstein, you fucking dolt.

[L-Pink]

Originally Posted by HomeFry

That's Einstein, you fucking dolt.

lol, he's such a tool.

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