Linus Torvalds interview on CNN

[Peter]

On Fri, 19 May 2006, Rick Tomaschuk wrote:

> I think CNN not only reports the news but also like newspapers can
> appear to manipulate the news to their own (advertisers) benefits.
> See http://www.infowars.com

Most news outfits 'manipulate' what they report in ways that correspond 
to their 'position' on certain issues. This is not hard, and it is not 
as bent as some want us to believe. Nowadays most news are syndicated 
and putting together an edition is more like shopping in a supermarket, 
but it is done in the syndication feeds. Excepting the in-house 
reporting, which is special-ordered in advance, most news, including 
from their own reporters, come in as they happen. It is up to the editor 
to select what goes up. Thus given a choice between different reporters 
covering the same issue he/she can select a report on a specific issue 
written/scripted by someone known 'not to stir s**t' with advertisers 
and/or politicians and/or otherwise be out of grace with what is 
'politically correct' at the moment. It's all up to the editor. Of 
course he/she could show cojones on some issue or another. Often this 
results in a fired or early retired editor.

What is more worrying is that I happen to follow news in about 4 
languages, and they are identical. Not just the headlines, but the 'page 
2' etc articles too. Excepting some fringe publications (on the web) or 
online newspapers from Elbonia everyone has the exact same news, often 
from the same source (see syndication above). TV news are also almost 
identical. So much for 'independent reporting'. And people are worried 
about certain governments manipulating the media ? Sheesh.

What is even worse is that people watch TV news to the tune of two hours 
per day. They see the same nice people talking, and are more likely to 
believe what they are saying than what the politicians they have elected 
to represent them in government are saying. Most people would be hard 
put to identify their local elected representative on the street but 
would immediately spot a news anchor driving by in his/her car. Grabbing 
the opportunity, there are several news anchors in the world who have 
successfully run for government positions following longer or shorter 
careers in front of the cameras or just microphones.

The impact of everyday economical issues is distorted accordingly. War 
somewhere in Africa ? Everyone talks about it. The 3% gas price hike 
tomorrow ? Oh, we can't help it. 'Reality' news are a form of circus 
for the people imho.

Peter
who quit watching TV more than 10 years ago.
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