Why The American Media Sucks: In Four Simple Pictures

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[News Media]
Can it be so easily demonstrated why the American media has completely turned its back on journalism? Check it out... Here is the current cover of Newsweek across various areas of the world.

Annie Leibovitz is tired and nursing a cold, and she' s just flown back to New York on the red-eye from Los Angeles, where she spent two days shooting Angelina Jolie for Vogue....

I guess there are no other magazines available to feature stuff like art, photography, pop issues or families and children. Newsweek has to push Afghanistan off the cover in the states to feature this.

Meanwhile the foreign issues note, Five years after the Afghan invasion, the Taliban are fighting back hard, carving out a sanctuary where they—and Al Qaeda's leaders—can operate freely.

I guess Newsweek figures what you don't know can't hurt you. Just shut up and look at the pretty pictures of Angelina's baby.

The original newsweek site shows the covers here, so you can verify the story.

 

Voter
Posted by Citizen on 2006-09-25 18:48:21
Like all the best family values,
Censorship starts at home,
give me a child for seven years and I will give you the adult.
ALways remember, propaganda works both ways.
death to amerigo
Posted by citzen2 on 2006-09-25 18:59:33
... and coming up next on CNN, America's Top Five shiniest objects! They move so fast and sparkle so brightly, can you keep up?
Posted by Pierce on 2006-09-25 19:10:20
No, it would be more like... and coming up next on CNN, shiny objects.... CAN THEY KILL YOU WHILE YOU SLEEP?
Of course
Posted by Anonymous on 2006-09-25 19:10:59
Part of the reason the Taliban has a chance at winning anything is because the American public is as stupid as the politicians they decry constantly. The interest in the lives of "public figures" is just a simple indicator of this.
you all suck
Posted by Crazy Fluke on 2006-09-25 19:27:40
newsweek is one of the most anti-bush liberal garbs out there. they have routinely, and on a weekly basis, bashed him and his administration in a manner that hides a thinly veiled liberal agenda masquerading as news.

the joke of it is that if once during newsweek
huh?
Posted by priccobestud on 2006-09-25 19:28:05
Ummm... where did you get these pics from and why should I believe you? And... how can you prove this? without any supporting info, this is a BS post...
money
Posted by TJ on 2006-09-25 19:30:04
The American cover is the one that will reap the greatest profits for Newsweek. Concern for reporting the truth, once an admirable trait of journalism, is lost. This is not to say the other covers are more true. Those, alas, are the covers that will reap the greatest profits for Newsweek in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Hilarious
Posted by Youch on 2006-09-25 19:30:38
American media censors and coddles the public so that we only get to hear about the latest exploits of Celebrities. That's why the Internet is a great source for the news.
Article verified
Posted by Pile on 2006-09-25 19:38:42
I added a link to the Newsweek site so you can verify this story is accurate. The pictures of the cover are posted on the newsweek web page.
Posted by Milro on 2006-09-25 19:43:37
Gluttons for punishment! You don't like it don't buy it -- don't read it.
Double Talk
Posted by Rich on 2006-09-25 20:04:02
Freedom of Speech, Censorship, Free press, are all relative terms. Only fools that have been brainwashed, and not knowing it, believe there are such things; and demanding them from someone else.
Priorities
Posted by Jeremy Franchi on 2006-09-25 20:07:40
You are right, current events are pretty important. But so is art, and so is noting one of America's most notorious and insightful photographers (no, I'm not a nationalist, but I'm an American and so America is what I know best). The cover may appear to portray a story about paparazzi and support America's obsession with celebrity, but it's actually a story about Annie Liebovitz.

It's probably also worth noting that the choice of covers with respect to geography could easily just be a result of regional syndication decisions blah blah blah, and not necessarily be any legitimate reflection of cultural attitude. But who knows.
not actually
Posted by change name on 2006-09-25 20:38:57
I wouldn't call this censorship. I'd call it knowing what sells.

In most of the world there is extreme anti-anything-american. What sells? A cover knocking an American effort, surprised?

What sells in America? The surreal idolization of our "famous".

It's simple.

Yes, the Taliban are fighting still and are not completely destroyed but they aren't necessarily taking over the whole country.
get over the celeb hang up
Posted by juggler on 2006-09-25 21:53:27
am an indian but i support US policies, teh govt there has balls, it may have its agendas but it will never eat the country hollow from within like u see politicos in india, the only thing i find disturbing is this over-riding fascination for all things fashion/film/and celeb related. the common man over there shud take a stand and back his country against islamic fundamentalism, let the liberals realize that there are no right/wrong foreign policies, its always real politik and protecting/furthering ur own interests.
shun the nonbelievers
Posted by wickedass on 2006-09-25 22:55:10
If you are only going to look at the cover and not read the magazine itself its your own fault for not deciding which articles are important and which are geared to sell magazines. open that bitch up and take a look
Fox News Alert
Posted by Brian on 2006-09-25 23:22:14
High speed car chase in LA.....
useurnoodlestud -- your asia link is for the 9/25 version
Posted by Anonymous on 2006-09-25 23:43:14
useurnoodlestud, the link to the Asia cover you posted is for the 9/25 version, not 10/2.
Posted by Repo on 2006-09-26 01:17:23
Big shock - an electorate dumb enough to vote in a village idiot with the intellectual capacity of a speck of plankton gets the press it deserves.
Sra.
Posted by prooeo on 2006-09-26 09:57:40
Give the people what they want. Not the media's fault.
Posted by Goldhorder on 2006-09-26 12:16:04
John Taylor Gotto...the greatest success of the American political elite 100 years ago. They undermined public education in the US to make sure the vast majority of citizens in America could be easily manipulated and exploited by the future elite. If you have ever had the feeling that American politics is hopeless...well...you are correct.
Posted by lukku cairi on 2006-09-26 12:27:47
Sra, the people want to be told what they want by the media. Whose fault is that?
Posted by Anonymous on 2006-09-26 14:50:22
Are all you people who are saying that this isn't censorship but rather "knowing what the people want to hear" also thinking that the media is psychic? I have a feeling that if Newsweek published the same story as they did elsewhere here in the US, the controversy alone would guarantee successful sales. People are going to read and be concerned about whatever is made available for them to read and be concerned about. It's censorship, self-imposed as it may be.
to PROOEO
Posted by IM-poster on 2006-09-26 14:53:05
_to PROOEO who says 'give the people what they want. Not the media's fault'-

The media has a RESPONSIBILITY to 'the people'. Ask folks in the media. The media grunts do it for the sake of gathering/spreading info. Only the media owners do it for profit. Tell us what's going on---not what you think someone wants to hear.

By the way! What makes you think people (generally speaking) know what they 'want'? Sorry, but what we want often tracks only the options with which we are aware, and lack of education limits the options. A responsible media has the burden/responsibility to give us the options---all of them!!
Sra.
Posted by prooeo on 2006-09-26 15:39:35
"The media has a RESPONSIBILITY to 'the people'."

They only have a resposiblilty to their shareholders.

It would be a gross overestimation of human nature to believe the media would do otherwise.
Crazy Fluke is Exhibit A ... "liberal media" smear campaign
Posted by Tequilaman2000 on 2006-09-26 16:59:24
Crazy Fluke: You are a prime example of the successful brainwashing of a conservative/republican. Anyone that screams that Newsweek (aka Corporate Conservative Propaganda Week) is a "liberal rag" clearly has no grounding in reality, nor do you seem to grasp that you have been utterly brainwashed into thinking "all the media is liberal, therefore you shouldn't trust any of it" (except Fox, Rush et al.).
Newsweek is about as liberal as the Wall Street Journal is, and they clearly play softball with the Bush admin, from its "hard-hitting non-stories" about sh*t that we already know, or the "Expose" about Ann Coulter that made her look like a reasonable person, or the fact that Newsweek NEVER delves into an analysis of the mountain of lies and corruption of the Bush, and basically just repeats the talking points of both sides... it is clear that Newsweek (more specifically, its corporate owners) want to kiss up to the Bush admin and the Republicans.... and WHY? Because it is largely controlled by conservative interests, in the form of entrenched conservative media moguls....

Yes, the Republican smear campaign against the media has worked wonders on you. Thank you Karl Rove...
priccobestud needs to be spoon fed....
Posted by useurnoodlestud on 2006-09-26 17:25:34
Hey priccobestud,

There's this thing called Google. I know...it sounds really complicated, but it's not. Give it a try with these searches...

newsweek usa
newsweek europe
newsweek asia
newsweek latin america

And here are direct links to the cover images (lifted from the pages returned by google) in case you still can't figure it out...

USA: http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Sections/ Newsweek/Components/Photos/Mag/061002_Issue/nw_leftnavcov_061002.jpg
europe: http://www.newsweekeurope.com/ covers/25092006101446P2Graphic.JPG
asia: http://www.newsweekeurope.com/ covers/19092006084313P2Graphic.JPG
latin america: http://www.newsweekeurope.com/ covers/25092006210203P2Graphic.JPG

The only discrepency I see is with newsweek asia. Where the cover is about china and leads with: "Who's afraid of China"

Also...I don't know why all the non-us newsweeks get their covers from europe...prolly just common server space.

The fact is, amerika prefers the soma to reality. And some studs refuse to think for themselves.
Posted by Rollo on 2006-09-26 17:28:52
Have you ever heard a really horrible song on the radio? I mean, you don't know anybody who really likes it, but they just keep playing it? You don't think the people who choose what to publicize don't have an agenda? You think it's always about "giving the people what they want?" Let's be real.
so what
Posted by Tiff on 2006-09-26 18:44:06
awww who cares the world is goig to end soon anyway
Smell the slim
Posted by Dr. Dre on 2006-09-26 20:13:06
For those bloggers who think NEWSWEEK is liberal please read something that really is Liberal. NEWSWEEK is one of the many mouthpieces for the ruling elite.

If you take any intro class on politics, the first thing they teach you is that the masses (those above who think nothings wrong) are lied to and manipulated. If you don't think that is happening now, you have NOT been paying attention to anything.
noticed something fishy in US media long ago...
Posted by awakeferawhile on 2006-09-27 08:51:43
I was happy, thinking that there was no wars and that everything was okie dokie...then I made the mistake of turning to Telemundo to watch the news...and I saw ...WAR?? Turns out I was looking at the clash in El Salvador, (which we weren't carrying!)I've been listening to NPR ever since....I would hear a story on NPR, BBC, or even the Japanese news with English subtitles, and if it even made it to the mainstream media, it would be like months and watered down to a blurb that is said right before a commercial...
Newsweek...blagh!
I sometimes look at it to see what THEY want us to know, but other than that I wouldn't insult a birdcage with it.
put your money where your mind is.
Posted by TheSpecterOfReason on 2006-09-27 15:18:30
sadly the combination of freedom of choice, mixed with marketability often leaves consumers with shallow, yet palatable, options.

We, as consumers, are directly responsible for the media that is marketed to us.

Think that the media isn't worth your money?
Don't buy it.

Media is a buisness, and will adopt whatever form makes money.

Support real media when and where you find it.

Simple as that.
Brainwashed...
Posted by Crusaderof Truth on 2006-09-27 19:42:30
Welcome to American culture. Look at what most Americans prefer to read about and spend there money on
Mud in your eyes?
Posted by I can see why cant you on 2006-09-27 23:30:52
I always hated america... I live here tho. And were all being f*cked over in some odd way just do some digging and you will see the truth. oh and bush stop hiding behind the lord like my father!
US public bored of war
Posted by Condomsleeza Flies on 2006-09-28 07:32:10
I'm guessing that the US public is just bored of war already..FACT IS the whole country was founded on war and occupation... Kicked the American Indians and Mexicans out, occupied it, and turned it into a shopping mall. But, is the American public really in control of America? Think about that.
If you were FOR the war, it's too late to complain
Posted by Oh so frightening on 2006-09-28 09:41:54
Face it. This is what most of you bought into when you supported the war in the first place. An amateur sleuth would have figured out that there were no Weapons in Iraq, or that there were any uranium [anything]in Chad, of all places. But you suspended your intelligence, because you like a good fight. So, this is what you get. Team USA! We're #1!. You can't complain if you were for the war. You had your chance. I'm gonna play my vioin while the ship sinks..... and enjoy life while I can. And it won't include reading Newsweek or Time, or the NYT, for that matter.
Mr.
Posted by Dave Johnson on 2006-09-28 17:58:49
Great people discuss ideas.
Average people discuss event.
Idiots discuss people.

Where do we fall in that spectrum?
The fishbowl from without
Posted by Apalled on 2006-09-30 10:41:04
I'm an American living in Spain. Been abroad 7 years now, including 3 in Ireland. I watch real news over here. Though it's true you can detect biases from certain channels, when things happen (i.e., war, famine, genocide, corruption, violations of international law), they as journalists have no choice but to report on it at length, regardless of whose thesis it seems to prove or debunk. When I go home for Christmas, etc., here is what I notice about the American media: It is dumbed down so that people at the level of highschool dropouts will be attracted to it. It is spruced up to look and feel like entertainment. It is AFRAID to be truly critical; i.e., any criticism of Bush et al must be couched in such terms as "tactical mistake," "poor planning," and so on, thus maintaining Bush's unquestionable innocence and good will towards us and the people he bombs. Many sectors of the media are savagely pro-Bush, and by rights should be yanked from any mainstream airwaves, and must not be allowed to continue posing as News presented by journalists, but should be labeled as what they are, Bush campaigners. It is shameful. And before any Bushie comes along screaming "If you're ashamed of your country...", sorry, you're out of luck. I'm not ashamed of my country, but of the direction its media has taken, among other things. Learn to distinguish: translate, learn to think.
Haha hilarious.
Posted by LoreAlmighty on 2006-09-30 16:25:39
Hehe, that's american media for you.
Liberal Agenda?
Posted by Republicans=Not too brigh on 2006-10-02 21:48:07
Have ANY of you ever heard of News Corp.? Google that before you start criticizing CNN, Newsweek, and all the other "liberal media." I agree that the media's gone down the tubes, and I know people will think I'm insanely liberal (I'm not) for saying this, but FOX "news" started it all.
Only In Newsweek
Posted by bonovox on 2006-10-02 23:58:38
I remember back in 1984 my mass media instructor first explained the bias in the media. I had no idea because I always believed that if it was on CBS or in News Week it must be true. When Pat Robertson was running for President I saw a cartoon in News Week, depicting him as a RAT,dragging a man through a door where above it read "Jesus Saves". As a very young man I realized the trouble and the danger in our media and saw how our world was changing,for only a White, Christian , Heterosexual, man could ever be depicted as a RAT and the media get away with it!!
News Week magazine always has and always will be "Un-American.
VIACOM Started it not FOX
Posted by bonovox on 2006-10-03 00:12:38
Have you ever heard of VIACOM? They own some companies that I'm sure you recognize such as Simon and Shuster,CBS, 60 Minutes, MTV, and Block Buster Video, just to name a few. This Liberally owned company has been shoving their "Liberal Agenda" down are throats for decades! Long,long, long before FOX News was ever thought of. Thank God for FOX News for giving us Americans the "other side of the story which since the invention of the tv, we were never privilidged to. The media has'nt gone "down the tubes" Only now Thanks to FOX, we see it for what it is and always has been with such liberals and socialists by the likes of Dan Rather, Andy Rooney,Peter Jennings and Walter Cronkite. Google these characters or better yet, follow the money trail that leads to VIACOM.
Posted by Fox News on 2006-10-03 15:18:54
Thank god for Fox News...? Do you pay attention to what they say or do... at all? I mean... honestly. Watch outfoxed. Watch Idiocracy... watch and read something that doesn't just re-affirm your beliefs. I know about Viacom. And for the record I dislike CBS, 60 minutes, MTV, and blockbuster. I don't see how simon and shuster differs at all from what news corp does with their propoganda to the kids (O'Reilly factor for kids... come on). For the record I read both sides of the story. I read conservative news like newsweek, fox news, wall street journal, etc. I also read slate, msnbc, google, etc. news also. I consider my reading habits to be well rounded... and I still think News Corp. is the WORST company in the United States for pushing a political agenda.
America still sucks.
Posted by fu on 2006-10-03 20:33:56
We took land from the indians, we never gave it back, we forced African Americans to be our slaves, we took over Hawaii with military force, we took land from Mexico (fighting), we place much emphasis and financial awards to Hollywood/New York Celebrities, the country is being run by a moron and he was re-elected twice?! Does that tell you something? If it doesn't, get your ignorant head out of your ass and look at the big picture for a change, Americans!
oh boy
Posted by teemu on 2006-10-07 10:42:06
Are you americans even trying, its mind-staggering to see how stupid you f*ckers are..
Posted by Anonymous on 2006-10-07 20:56:37
actual examples would be helpful...
Doesn't matter, really...
Posted by on 2006-10-09 09:21:34
Think of it this way... People can scream censorship, and freedom of press & speech all they want, but the only real liberties we have are the ones they decide we can have. Everyone screams & rants on blogs, & posts like this, but really, can you blame them? Look at the media right now: No one's talking about iraq & iran, because of some pervert in office...WOW, big suprise there!!! We have elected someone who is NOT pure & wholesome! WHOA! STOP THE PRESSES!!! Nobody cares about thousands of our family members, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends, neighbors, & loved ones DYING daily, because some guy WE ELECTED was a perverted ass... Hmm... Sounds like an america that needs taliban covers on newsweek... Tell me, if you see 30 tabloids with taliban covdrs, and a newsweek with rock-stars, actresses, and babies on the cover, which one do you buy?

Taliban=US government, but without the facade of liberty & freedom.
Freedom=slavery------are you really that free?
US in the eyes of EVERY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD=that one cousin everyone has, but no one likes, because he's a freak, or pervert, or a bastard...

Before all of you get up in arms about YOU'RE AN UNPATRIOTIC ASS, or THEY'RE CENSORING OUR MEDIA, or something STUPID, take a look around you... you are just like the rest of the sheep in your office that all think they are "better" too. Think of it this way, ALL OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS WERE PUT THERE BY US!!!! WE, and this is worth repeating, !W!E! put them there. Not just a few people, but MAJORITY. Wanna make a difference? GET OFFLINE, and START DOING SOMETHING!

Better yet, if you think the world is such a crappy place, then go help someone..... That's right, get off your lazy ass, and GO BUY THAT BUM YOU CUSSED TODAY A SANDWICH & A COAT! Or go down to the VA, and visit with a vet! Or go adopt a freakin kitten, btu quit blaming our countries issues on the people WE put there! You knew what you were doing when you voted.
you're wrong... partially
Posted by Anonymous on 2006-10-09 09:25:12
Despite the babble, some of your points can be translated and I agree w/ them. But your last sentence is dead wrong. "You knew what you were doing when you voted." You can't possibly be suggesting that voters have the psychic ablility to tell the future and know exactly what they were going to do. That's ludacris.
Newsweek losing readers
Posted by Anonymous on 2006-10-10 13:49:56
If profits are the motive for their cover selections, then they have been doing a poor job of it for years, because the number of subscribers to Newsweek has been declining for years. (http://www.journalism.org/node/406) Whatever they are doing, people have not been liking it.
Re: Newsweek losing readers
Posted by Anonymous on 2006-10-11 17:59:50
All news corporations are about the bottom line rather than the news they report.
This World's Going to Shit
Posted by ..... on 2006-10-14 17:31:27
Because of people wanting to bitch about what's happening in politics... AND NONE OF THEM DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FREAKING SYSTEM!!! If you (anyone on here) really gave as much of a shit about politics as you like to say you do on here, you'd campaign to get into a public office and do something about it! The system still works, f*cking use it
Posted by nope on 2006-10-17 17:34:25
the system doesn't work, it's too corrupt
Us Yankees are 'Stuck on Stupid.'
Posted by Julian the Apostate on 2006-11-12 12:14:36
I see far FAR more passion devoted to "what the actors and actresses are doing" and the latest sports scores on the TV...than I see being used to solve our own problems.

Shrug. Go read your "stinking-rich celebrity" puff piece while you wonder if you are gonna be able to buy food this month because you have to pay your medical insurance bill.

Oops! Your insurer just found a handy loophole that nicely justifies their "no, we can't cover THAT" clause.

And your employer? "You're hurt, you can't work anymore, you're fired."

You lose. EVERYTHING. Everything you ever worked for.

Greatest Country on Earth my ass.
THE MEDIA SUCKS AND THE COUNTRY GOING DOWN THE HOLE
Posted by MAVERICK on 2007-05-07 10:49:53
we broadcast stupid news, and only care about celebrites. America has gotten away from the kick ass country it use to be
europe sucks
Posted by jo on 2007-08-22 01:37:12
I hate how europeans think they no everything about america and its people. europe sucks and really smells bad, and all the chicks are hairy.
What date was this issue?????
Posted by howardbc on 2007-09-30 16:18:47
The article/blog is excellent, but would have been more meaningful if the date had been put in somewhere. I don't read most US media any more, so I don't read Newsweek.
Posted by Pile on 2007-09-30 16:47:39
The date displays if you're signed in.
Posted by Rob Adcox on 2007-10-02 20:43:20
To hell with Newsweek, CNN, MSNBC, ad nauseam. To hell with arrogant liberals who think they're superior to everyone else. btw Michael Moore owns more stock in Halliburton than I do.
Economist does the same...
Posted by Scott Anderson on 2007-11-21 01:04:18
I hate newsweek, but the Economist does the same thing. It is a business. They are trying to sell magazines. The economist publishes different U.S. covers too. Just so you all know...
yes
Posted by yes on 2008-02-19 07:34:16
the media sucks.
http://truthhope.net
Posted by Chris Watson on 2009-07-28 19:56:13
It's politics. If Bush was still president they would push the 'losing the war' angle - but the US media is emotionally invested in Obama.
Denial
Posted by Jerry on 2009-12-06 01:03:36
If you don't think the media sucks, then you are in serious denial. Maybe a military draft would wake you up.
Posted by Anonymous on 2010-01-28 19:17:09
thats why i use bbc
Posted by Edog on 2011-01-13 07:37:02
Yet another example of the Jews doing anything to make a buck,
Posted by Pile on 2011-01-13 11:05:18
sweeping generalizations like that don't help
you too
Posted by paul on 2012-04-26 04:14:12
why join your just part of the same bull and hype thjat makes media suck
Newsweek Covers
Posted by Fletcher on 2012-06-26 18:27:54
I agree with you about these covers but I cannot verify them on any link you provide or anywhere else I look for on my own. I am researcher so should be able to find them with little problem. I shared these covers on Facebook but now I am concerned that they aren't real.
Posted by Pile on 2012-06-26 18:42:50
The covers are definitely real. I pulled them from the Newsweek site myself. It makes sense that content wouldn't be up forever so I made my own composite.
menu
Posted by americk on 2012-08-16 17:43:34
I'm the only restaurant in town, on my menu is crappy hamburgers and crappy french fries or crappy pizza or crappy chicken etc. But thats what people want they keep ordering it. Come on, where are our intelligent media sources in this country. It's all crappy and you really don't have a good choice. We don't get to make the menu
how would i know
Posted by americk on 2012-08-16 18:11:33
I saw the market crash coming and the housing bubble burst coming almost two years before it happened. I'm an ordinary person but people around me listened and it happened. I try be informed on the fundamentals and forced myself to watch pbs news.It really lacks sensation and yet I knew I would be properly informed. It was all there ahead of time. Don't want to believe me, call me on it. Look up transcripts or whatever and you can't deny the information was all there in a dull package. Devoid of celebrity reports and politicians trading juvenile insults. I don't care if it's a turtle giving me the truth, I just really want to know what the hell is going on.
Funny...
Posted by Ralph on 2013-10-13 04:17:31
It's funny how news corp is no more(split in different companies)and Newsweek doesn't publish magazines anymore.

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