Can the Public Trust Big Media?

Now in recent turn of events we see an example of Big Media abusing its power and trust with the general public. Recently Rupert Murdoch who is the owner of News Corp was questioned for three hours in front of Parliament in London for charges of phone hacking. The company News of the World which is now defunct was charged with illegal phone hacking and bribery which rocked the news world. The company would use this information to get exclusive information for top stories. Now since this incident occurred in the United Kingdom, News Corp is a United States Company that employees 53,000 across the world. (variety.com 2011)

Now this should concern the public at large since the privacy of individuals were violated and exposed for the gain of a corporate entity. News Corp is in the business of delivering news and information to the public which is something that we have grown to trust as accurate and complete and this would begin the process of tarnishing that image. If the organization is believed to bribe or violate laws and rights of people then we must begin to question the veracity of the information we receive.

This story which is the beginning of deeper concerns displays the magnitude an organization is willing to go to remain competitive. What happened to reliable journalism and credible sources for receiving information? Why are news companies and high ranked officials working so loosely together without proper levels of checks and balances. This is a concern since you must wonder if the news you receive is accurate or tainted to a version that is acceptable to the public.

Rupert Murdoch is defending his position states that the inner circle of the leadership had no knowledge of any wrong doing or phone hacking. Whether or not the leadership was aware or had knowledge of the accusations this still reflects badly on them and could ultimately affect the US organization. Several executives as well as British police officials have resigned (www.nationaljournal.com 2011) which states that they are trying to bury some pertinent information that could lead to more investigations or diffuse a fire before it blazes out of control.

References

National Journal.com 2011 After News Corp Scandal, Congress Peers at Dow Jones retrieved from http://www.nationaljournal.com/tech/after-news-corp-scandal-congress-peers-at-dow-jones- 20110720

Variety.com 2011 Murdoch Eats Humble Pie retrieved from http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118040111?refCatId=18

Is Big Media a Good Idea for America?

Now I am one who loves big cities, big dreams and big ideas like the next one but when is big too big and when does it become ineffective and detrimental to society as a whole.  Now when things grow they are supposed to help the community at large but this does not seem to be the case with big media.  Media has evolved from just newspaper, magazine and watching news to become a hybrid of information that we can access 24/7 on multiple platforms.  Now I am all about receiving concrete, credible and reliable information but when it only comes from a handful of sources one has to wonder if the information that is being relayed is completely truthful. 

The problem with a few handling the masses in any arena will lead to more destruction than assistance since this is the formula for control by the few.  We have witnessed this across various industries such as energy, telecommunications and banking to name a few.  Media in America is now controlled by what is called the Big 6 (www.stopbigmedia.com) which are the largest conglomerates that controls what we see, hear and understand about the world whether it is true or a tainted perspective that they want you to believe in.

The Big Six are General Electric, Walt Disney, News Corp, Time Warner, Viacom, and CBS. (http://www.freepress.net/ownership/chart/main)  Their reach has expanded to where they can initiate, pre-produce and produce projects, which will take away creative freedom and artistic viewpoints.  The Big Six do bring a lot of good to the table as we are dealing with the interrelated world that we currently live in but at the same time a concern is growing that we must be aware of.  If six people at your workplace controlled what you watch, listen, and understand then what choices do you really have? 

This is what we must be aware of and begin to decipher whether or not this direction is something that will enhance our society or control the masses to think and feel a certain way.  We are a people of free thoughts and independent mindsets which makes us unique which is why we can not allow ourselves to be driven into a direction would rob us of those freedoms.