Thread: A serious conflict of interest.

Originally Posted by decraew

I agree that this situation is not ideal for democracy in the sense that the government could then misuse its power over said news organisations. Look at Berlusconi in Italy.

On the other hand: in my country we have an official television channel that is often rather critical of our government. Inasfar as I know there's little or no interference from the govt in the issues brought up by this channel.

So I do understand why you worry about this. But, tell me, why are you not concerned then with the influence of someone like Rupert Murdoch ??

Rupert Murdoch does not wield the power of the US government.

Originally Posted by JMS

Rupert Murdoch does not wield the power of the US government.

No, true, but he owns a big share of US media and therefore he has a lot of power in shaping public opinion. AND he actually pushes his personal vision.

edit: I'm naturally distrustful of ANYONE or ANY ORGANISATION that wields too much power. Be it powerful individuals, governments, churches ... Can't help it really, something in my genetic make-up I guess

Originally Posted by decraew

No, true, but he owns a big share of US media and therefore he has a lot of power in shaping public opinion. AND he actually pushes his personal vision.

edit: I'm naturally distrustful of ANYONE or ANY ORGANISATION that wields too much power. Be it powerful individuals, governments, churches ... Can't help it really, something in my genetic make-up I guess

In that case you should be a US citizen!

Originally Posted by JMS

In that case you should be a US citizen!

Hm, seems to me that although in the US there is a healthy mistrust of US government, there is NO such mistrust where it concerns the (organised) churches & media (unless of the so-called leftist media - which if we put in European context would be centre or centre-right).