for distorting the truth.
It isn't "controversy that sells," status quo is the driving force, the existing well financed powers set the frame with the corporate media.
If Exxon et all weren't ready, willing
and able to purchase vast quantities of commercial air time, the corporate media would be far more interested in exposing the overwhelming scientific evidence adverse to that industry to the American People
"These are people who are firmly convinced it's not happening, not human-caused and many of them are what we would lovingly call conspiracy theorists," said Leiserowitz on NPR's Science Friday. "They say it's a hoax, it's scientists making up data, it's a UN plot to take over American sovereignty, it's Al Gore and his friends trying to get rich..."
But while this group makes up only 10 percent of the population, they are a mobilized, outspoken minority.
"They are quite vocal, very engaged. Given the opportunity they will talk a lot about this issue," said Leiserowitz. "They're only 10 percent and yet they appear much larger because they tend to dominate much of the public square..."
(snip)
In the mainstream media, "There's a basic imperative, especially in commercial media, that controversy sells," he says. "Which would you rather see? somebody who is methodically and deliberately spelling out the science of climate change or two people yelling at each other?"
That 10% "appearing much larger" only "dominate the public square" because the corporate media enable them to do so.
If we assume and rightfully so that politicians will greatly look out for the interests of those people or entities most able to grease their palms with lucre, why does anyone believe the corporate media aren't susceptible to that same frailty?
I'm convinced the corporate media as an institution will change their tune and expose the people to the truth regarding anthropogenic global warming climate change without any or very little reservation when new green, sustainable energy sources and life styles become predominant throughout the economy driving out the fossil fuel industry.
However that won't occur because of the corporate media's sounding the trumpet of truth to begin the struggle, the trumpet will be sounded by that industry as an institution only after the economic battle is over or virtually finished.
Thanks for the thread, n2doc.
Uncle Joe (24,997 posts) 
5 replies
I disagree with Leiserowitz's conclusion as to the corporate media's primary motivation
