Is BP Controlling The Media And Keeping Them From Filming......

[global1]

what is happening in the Gulf?

When we have a car chase the cable news shows have helicopters monitoring every second of the chase.

I'm surprised by the lack of video coming from this spill and subsequent attempts to cap it. Even the reporters on the scene in the area are on shore instead of flying over on a helicopter or a plane or on some boat to film what is going on.

Is BP keeping them away to control the spin?

[rudy23]

1. I've seen the lifeless body of the tased Phillies fan face down on the field a dozen times.

There has to be pressure on the media. This would be a huge story for them if they were allowed to cover it.

[NNN0LHI]

2. How much "man in the street", type video have you seen from Iraq or Afghanistan in this digital age?

A lot?

Don

[global1]

3. What's Your Point?........

this oil rig is right here in the Gulf of Mexico 50 or so miles from the shore of the U.S. not some godforsaken country on the other side of the world. And for that matter - Yes - I've seen more footage of Iraq & Afghanistan - more than I ever wanted to. Particularly when it was controlled by BushCo with the imbedded reporters.

[NNN0LHI]

6. My point is the media knows where cameras aren't welcome

They don't have to be told.

The distance is meaningless in the age of communication satellites. 50 miles or 5000 miles is immaterial.

Don

[SidDithers]

4. Is there danger associated with flying a helicopter over an oil spill?...

Flammable fumes and static electricity are a bad mix. That's pure speculation on my part, however.

Sid

[ShortnFiery]

5. Not as much as you would think or France24 and EuroNews are fool hardy.

That is, I've seen plenty of coverage of this horrific Oil Spill on those *foreign* TV news stations.

P.S. EuroNews is devoting a large section to it right now. :shrug:

[Statistical]

7. A bunch of oil today looks like a bunch of oil tomorrow.

News is all about excitement and selling ad space not actually reporting the news.

If you want real coverage of this (or any important issue) for more than 2 days then we need something like the BBC in this country.

[CoffeeCat]

8. I was listening to NPR yesterday...

...and a reporter talked about his experiences with BP. I apologize that I do
not have a specific source. I was in the car, listening to the radio at the time.

The reporter said that he taking pictures of some of the equipment that would be used
in putting this "box" over the leak. The reporter said he took a picture of something
that looked like a giant valve. He said that after taking the picture, a BP representative,
demanded that he stop taking pictures and his camera was confiscated!

BP is being very guarded. The reporter said that BP officials and other oil-industry
personnel are all being very tight lipped. He shouted out questions to BP officials
who were there, and he said they wouldn't even acknowledge him.

[CountAllVotes]

12. criminals don't enjoy being filmed

n/t

:dem: :kick:

[Timmy5835]

18. First off that reporter is an idiot....

To give up his camera to a private guard or spokesman is ridiculous. Maybe if it was a cop or government offical that's one thing, but that pretty iffy too. What if the reporter refused, what is BP going to do arrest him??? I don't think so. Very ignorant reporter.

[upi402]

9. The media is big business's cheerleader and propaganda organ

"Control" is assumed. Only MSNBC after noon gets information out. Or the former Air America Radio programming still being aired -but with a weak, static-ridden signal in my area now.

[Echo In Light]

11. Yes. The chief aim is to trivialize any 'unfavorable' data for corporate-ruled america

[RKP5637]

10. It well may be me, but I'm beginning to think each day more and more we are all

living in "The Truman Show." I feel most of what we experience in the media and gov. is more and more controlled/presented/scripted by far more than chance. And citizens are a bunch of robots running around with their daily scripted lives trying to survive clinging to their dogma of choice.

[chill_wind]

13. TPM has a great run-down of the Damage Control & PR Flacking.

TPM's Tour Of The Oil Spill Flack Universe -- Who's On Damage Control?
Christina Bellantoni | May 5, 2010, 12:25PM

They have a lot of political tools, and a lot of money for their priorities. Recommended reading.

[chill_wind]

16. Can't edit-- here's the link:

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/05/oil_spill_damage_control_--_bp_has_wide_net_of_fir.php?ref=fpblg

[EFerrari]

20. That would be a really useful OP.

If you post it, pm me so I can kick. :hi:

[chill_wind]

23. Thanks EF. I did, a couple days ago.

Sadly, it pretty much got lost in the wash, lol.
It was a really good "big picture" article, I thought.

:hi:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x534106

[EFerrari]

26. Lol! Damn, how did I miss that?

Thank you!

[amborin]

14. some forces are keeping media coverage very light

[blm]

15. Big Oil BUYS AD TIME....and media owners are thick with their fellow thieves in oil, bank, defense

and mine industries.

[chill_wind]

17. All of that, and extremely deep pockets for the best

lawyers and dammage control PR flacks money can buy. And they are leaving no media message vehicle to chance, including their ramped up use of "social media".

[chill_wind]

25. lol. dammage = damage.

sigh.

[fascisthunter]

21. conflict of interest is rampant with the corporate media

fuck, it's standard proceedure with them.

[Ron Green]

19. Hey, when BP buys the back cover of THE NATION....

the fix is in.

[ladjf]

22. All they would have to do would be to allow the TV networks

to connect to the audio/video circuit now in place between subs and surface ship. nt

[spanone]

24. out of sight out of mind....nothing to see there...they're doing all they can..

they are true stewards of our natural resources

[Rex]

27. There won't be any way to ignore this, this is too big but I'm sure the M$M

will do whatever their Paymasters tell them. Of that there is a guarantee.