Trust in the media

Most people of a certain vintage don't get the idea of bias in my experience. There is an implicit trust in RTE and the print media unfortunately among probably a majority of the population.

The disgraceful current covid scare campaign where the media consistently talks up the worst aspects of the disease and minimises any positive news or refuses to ask why we are so unusual internationally in our lazy reliance on socially and economically destructive lockdowns is particularly outrageous but most people are happy that their government is "protecting them".

The only problem with only seeking out individual media is that the majority are still formed by the official mainstream media. Its fine to hear alternative views but it can also end up in a bewildering myriad of conspiracy type theories. We end up atomised and unable to communicate without sounding like loonies.

That main stream media should be challenged and their weak points probed. They are not impartial. They do no seek truth. They are paid servants of the establishment. We need to remind them of this constantly.

But the majority will probably follow when enough people are there having interesting conversations about things that matter.

I think a lot of people who listen to mainstream know something's not quite right but they just don't know what else is available.

Conspiracy theories are coming true and the label is used to stop people talking about things.

There's real communication and interesting material on alternative media but I do miss radio. A couple of interesting chats I heard in the last few days were on James Delingpole's channel - with Right Said Fred - two brothers - and Patrick Moore, one of the founders of Greenpeace who made me challenge some of the things I'd been taking for granted like the island of plastic in the ocean.[/quote]








I think we agree main stream media is pretty problematic but there are problems too with everyone seeking his own news and truth too. There are some good independent commentators and there are some that are frankly bonkers. News needs to be well sourced, truthful and open to criticism.

Take the issue of Covid. I am critical of our government and its erosion of our civil liberties. This is a minority view that has little presence in the media. It is objectively true however that we in the west have witnessed the greatest removal of of constitutional protections ever. Hopefully this is only temporary but we have also witnessed disturbing attitudes towards freedom among a majority of the Irish population.

There are other alternative views like covid denial or a pharmaceutical industry conspiracy. The last two opinions are examples of conspiracy theories that are simply untrue. Most conspiracy theories are simplistic partial explanations of much more complicated issues. The idea Joe Biden is not the legitimate US President is another prominent example.

Christians do have something valuable to teach our secular world here. We hold to the reality of objective truth and the importance of proclaiming it and adhering to it in our own lives. We believe in learning and a Liberal wide education. We believe in faith and reason and rational debate and discussion. Many of these once common sense things are now widely ignored.

Good points above. I think people who have power in the media generally misuse it even unconsciously to ignore or sideline conservative voices. Some may be doing it consciously especially those who are left leaning. Media bias is similar to and parallels third level academic bias which is heavily left wing. People tend to recruit like minded people too. The media does claim to be diverse and some of it RTE is legally obliged to seek balance!


On the issue of tanks on the streets. I wonder is it even necessary save in the case of absolute chaos? An Irish government has succeeded in terrifying a huge section of our population and has achieved virtually unanimous Dail votes in pushing through draconian laws restricting fundamental liberties without firing a shot. This policy was supported by at least two thirds of our freedom loving people .Power can be wielded using persuasion, fear and propaganda too. Western governments presumably have researched how to control populations without overt violence. ( perhaps that's me being conspiratorial !)

[quote author="cato" source="/post/11963/thread" An Irish government has succeeded in terrifying a huge section of our population and has achieved virtually unanimous Dail votes in pushing through draconian laws restricting fundamental liberties without firing a shot. This policy was supported by at least two thirds of our freedom loving people .Power can be wielded using persuasion, fear and propaganda too. Western governments presumably have researched how to control populations without overt violence. ( perhaps that's me being conspiratorial !)[/quote]






The votes to extend the Covid powers in early June were 65/58 and 70/50 approx although not all of those who voted against the extension were agreed on why.

The "nudging"/psychology is interesting and very prevalent - like a car salesman tries to get you to focus on what colour car you want, to get you past whether you actually need or want a new car, I heard Stephen Donnelly talking recently about rolling out the vaccines to a younger age cohort using the exact same technique. I think it was "get it now or get it later", no room for "maybe you don't need it"!

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There are barely half a dozen TDs and a couple of senators who have spoken publicly against lockdown. Most of the opposition on the left were zero covid supporters ie they wanted more and stricter lockdown! [/quote]



That's true. Maybe the fact that they don't agree with the government is some cause for hope though (or is it part of the plan?!)! The guillotine system is difficult to watch but I think it has been used by previous governments going back years. What has happened to grass roots loyal FG and FF voters who before wouldn't have heard of coalition with each other? Shuffled off the scene or still there?