The sociologists suggest it is the result of social media. The experts weighing in. All I know is that I have certainly lost all confidence in the news programs. Could be I was just naive but I believed what Walter was saying. I also believed what was written in the local newspaper to be the truth of the matter. I have since come to understand all is not as it seems. There was bias in all that reporting. Thing is, the facts went unaltered, just the way the way the story was told changed. I think we all knew that though, we weren’t surprised by any of that. Bias or prejudice? Pretty much the same thing when it comes right down to the brass tacks. Now social media has really stirred the proverbial pot and facts don’t really enter into the conversation anymore, it’s all about perception. Are you being influenced? Yes, we have professional influencers these days, I’m so old we called them salesmen. Their function is the same, to get you to buy.

 I suppose on some level that has always been the case, to get you to buy. Started out with getting you to buy the newspaper. Yes, it was a for profit thing and remains that way. We heard all about journalistic integrity and the fight for social justice. The reporting was hard hitting. Behind all that were the advertisers, that’s where the real revenue is generated. News stories weren’t slanted one way or the other but certain things were left unsaid. Easier to catch flies with homey than it is vinegar. The editor of the paper wouldn’t want to upset their advertisers, that’s just not good for business. The objective remains to get you to buy. Didn’t take long before newspapers were used to influence the readers. You’ve heard of the Federalist papers. 85 essays published in New York newspapers over a one year period. There sole purpose was to influence. Yes, it was called being informed, informed of the opinions of the authors, Hamilton, Madison and Jay under the pseudonym Publis. It was very effective. The public bought it. 

  Today with social media the offerings are endless. What are you going to buy? Personally I have never been much on fad or fashion and so tend to buy the tried and true products. I have become a bit leery of the flashy things, of promises made. Call it life experience. I’m not easily influenced to alter my course. Not much really changes when it comes to humans and human nature. Basic truths remain unchanged over centuries. The struggle is, and always has been in the moral and ethical decision made by society. If it is allowed, it’s usually considered moral and ethical by the majority, at least in democracies it is. Moral decay is what collapses societies. That is what tears them apart, just like families. 

  Reporting the news requires integrity, and a strong sense of morality and ethics. But when that is dependent upon selling the product, cracks begin to form. Like raising children the truth needs to be told and no excuses made, but you have that desire to protect. In the case of reporting the news, it is the profit you are protecting. Money is definitely a big influencer. Money talks. That too, has always been the case. So you have to ask one question; who is trying to influence me? Follow the money to find that answer. It isn’t so much about reporting the facts as it is in getting you to buy. The importance lies in profit, not any idealistic view of informing the public, of providing insight. In fact, in most cases they would rather you were looking the other direction. 

  Emotions are great motivators but seldom good guides. When the news, the stories, are all designed to stimulate your emotions, reported in that fashion, be wary. Don’t be influenced in that fashion. Yes, we all hear those cries and are being told we should have great empathy, compassion and understanding for our fellow man. Those are strong emotions, great motivators. And how could that be wrong? Well you have to examine the objective. Then having determined what that objective may be decide whether it is a positive thing or not. More often than not the things that really get our emotions going, lead us down the wrong path. Shortcuts are rarely as safe as the main highway. Just calm down and think about it. Don’t get all worked up.