Truth or Dare? (Media Meditation Six)

As we've learned in class real, honest news is often hard to come by, especially since 80 percent of news is actually advertising in disguise. Instead of looking at one particular news corporation I decided to give the news in general a brief overview, and I say brief only because there is so much to look at it would be nearly impossible.

The reasons and ways behind the transformation of news from newsprint to online sources is what interests me most. "Because of their local monopoly status, many newspapers were slower than other media to confront the challenges of the electronic and digital revolution.... While some observers think newspapers are on the verge of extinction as the digital age eclipses the print era, the industry is no dinosaur. In fact, the history of communication demonstrates that older mass media have always adapted"(274).

This may not be a bad thing, now with unlimited space, online newspapers can post articles that otherwise wouldn't make the cut for the simple fact there wasn't enough room in the print version. However, this must be taken with a grain of salt due to the onslaught of the "blogosphere". The Discursive shift, reminds one that with the ability to post news online comes the possibility that certain sources might not be as reliable as others.

Now online sources such as The New York Times is able to include video along with articles. Creating a technological shift that combines newspapers with the Internet. Almost as good a combination as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

The most important part of having easy accessible news is remembering that since it is mainstream most of it has been shaped by ownership, advertising, the news makers and shapes, and finally flak. So what is easy to find might not always be reliable, it is usually the thing that takes the most time to find holds the most truth.

Video News Release: