It is amazing the history of the suppression of the free press among those who wished to take or remain in control. And more than one philosopher has noted that; He Who Owns the Media, Owns the Mind of the People. Today we look at Silicon Valley, where Google and Facebook want to remove what they call “Fake News” from their websites, namely Google News and Facebook News Feed. Of course, this presents a rather slippery tilt – one of the bulk sensors. Indeed, both companies have been caught in the act of suppressing far-right news and raising positive news stories against left-leaning politicians.
In Washington DC, there is work to prevent Fake News in the media or online to prevent foreign governments from trying to subvert our elections or poison the minds of our people with propaganda. However, it is clear from mainstream media coverage of this effort in Washington DC that the target is far-right alternative online news. Mainstream media are worried about losing millions of viewers, resulting in huge ad revenue due to online news sites – competition they don’t like. Are all these powers; mainstream media, the Democratic Party, and the major Internet social networks and search engines coming together to control our information and control the minds of the masses?
Well, if history is the judge, then the answer is yes. All dictatorships, communist states, and even the Nazi regimes work very hard to control the news. Even terrorists, spies and nation-state sponsors of terrorism use the news for propaganda.
There is an interesting article in Foreign Affairs published on January 7, 2014 entitled; “Al Jazeera’s ‘Fake News’ issue,” by Judy Bachrach. The way I see it is that every news agency has an agenda, and there are many forces that rule people’s minds. While discussing this at our think tank, one thinker noted;
“The author of the article puts Israel right near the center of their judgment, then provides a contradictory cover, then concludes it this way: 1. Can’t blame them for abusing journalists who lie,
2. Guess what, I have to side with liars because of the 5th Amendment. 2 says – it is their right to lie.”
The think tanker type notes that this is a dangerous emotional banter, rather than fact and states he’d rather read something about American Networks because he often has to go to the BBC, and other media outlets to get the actual news.
Wow, now there are some interesting comments indeed. However, when I see news media like RT (Russian TV) often have negative tendencies towards the US, sometimes they are right and make us look in the mirror, sometimes it is just negative criticism. More like clockwork, exactly a few times per day. Al Jazeera America, I believe is often better than RT, but not when it comes to Middle East sectarian issues, they are all one way too. RT is generally tilted to the left, it makes sense. Modern news, whether it requires a sharp eye and a commitment to reading between types, bullet points, and sound bites.
When we look at FOX News, they’re leaning to the right, and CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, all leaning to the left and seem to be out to attack anything on the right. So, I asked; what is really FAKE NEWS – guys – it’s all fake news, that’s my opinion.
Lance Winslow is the Founder of Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders and the general public around brilliant minds. http://www.WorldThinkTank.net – Have an important topic to discuss, contact Lance Winslow. Lance also writes eBooks on all sorts of topics including this one, check out his selection.
