The Media Monolith
These 10 Corporations Control the Media in the US--and the World
Time Warner
Disney
Viacom
News Corp. Ltd. (Murdoch)
Sony
Telecommunications, Inc.
Seagram
Westinghouse
Gannett
General Electric
It should be noted that in addition to "bringing good things to life" (such
as self-destructing lightbulbs), General Electric is one of the world's largest
manufacturers of weapons systems. It is in GE's best interest to precipitate
conflicts which create markets for the machinery of death. In addition to
selling engines for fighter planes and missiles, GE can buy advertising from
itself on NBC, which it purchased for $6.3 billion in 1985. To quote the
poet John King: "Whose story can you trust when the news is bought to you
buy General Electric?" |
In his 1982 book,
The
Media Monopoly, Ben Bagdikian reported that a mere 50 corporations controlled
more than half of all media business in the US. Imagine 50 representatives
from those companies gathering in a meeting hall to determine the shape of
the news.
By mid-1987, that number had shrunk to 26. Just enough to fill a classroom.
By 1996, that number had been distilled to ten. Executives could meet cordially
around a small conference table. But such meetngs are unlikely as they are
unnecessary. There is no need for a conscious conspiracy when all the players
are motivated solely by greed.
The function of the media in this age of conglomerates is to enhance the
shareholders' bottom line. Subject to business and political pressures, the
media have been censoring themselves for decades so as to preserve the status
quo.
Don't believe me? Read
20
Years of Censored News by Carl Jensen and Project Censored. The censorships
in question are not the draconian limitations imposed by an oppressive regime,
although if you analyze the situation you might begin to think
otherwise. Detailed information from this book and other sources will
begin to appear here on a regular basis.
Enjoy the Internet while it's still free. It won't last. |