Organizing for America | Jeffrey Burke's Blog: Obama flip-flop

Obama flip-flop - or the media as flip-flopper

By Jeffrey from Highland, CA who is going to meet President Obama at the Inauguration in January - Jul 5th, 2008 at 4:00 pm EDT

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The media lately has been using the term flip-flopper with Obama lately. They accusations have revolved around faith-based initiatives, FISA, his stance on the Iraq war and more. To the casual political observer, one may believe this, but as one who has studied the views, there is little evidence to support this. In fact, I believe the case can be made that it is the media that has been accused of flip-flopping, bias, and other non-professional practices that govern the ethical and professional practices.

First, the mass-media is in the business of making money. This is best done by producing controversy. Whereas McCain is a well-known commodity (at least his projected persona), Obama is new and as such, his persona in the media is still being formed. How does the media make more money and generate more interest? By saying things that reinforce Obama's greatness, popularity among the people and his message of change, or by raising controversy, and trying to catch him in contradictions. After the major media outlets generated record profits during the Democratic primary by covering controversies (some real and others they generated), they figure the same model will work here. Given that the election is likely to be a blowout for Obama (if histor applies here), this is what they must do to maximize their earnings.

Second, there are many more media forums to compete with than there used to be - three run news several hours a day, and this appetite for engaging news needs to be fed.

Finally, I believe that the media moguls fear an Obama presidency - I say this because the phenomena of media conglomerates is new in the American experience. Laws used to forbid consolidate or large corporate ownership of the media. I believe that Obama may intend to break up these interests and return us to the days where the media and its people actually report news, instead of taking its cues from corporate offices for the purposes of maximizing profits. Such a model as it currently exists borders on fascism (please look up the real definition if critical of the point), and our old system of media ownership needs to be restored.

In short, the media will take the facts, and flip or flop and flip-flop them depend on the agenda of the media institution. Do I miss the days of Walter Kronkite...

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By YesWeCan Carol Jul 12th 2008 at 2:59 am EDT

It also seems that MSM has become opinion editorial for what was on yesterday's internet. I'd be interested to hear what major journalism schools have to say about the constant TV arm-chair analysis of the work of others.

If we have any luck, TV 'news' will be a thing of the past. You've been kind to the major networks.

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By Lydia from Durham, NC Jul 18th 2008 at 2:44 am EDT

The following article by Hendrik Hertzbeg maintains that Obama has been consistent on his positions, except for FISA. This articles is inside "The Politics of Fear" cover of The New Yorker.

Flip-Flop Flap
Link

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