Sunday, October 8, 2023

Blog #6: Anti-War


The mainstream media today has become almost a circus. It is hard for people to find a way to agree on how the news should be presented or what information should be shown. The absence of strong antiwar voices from mainstream news outlets while they thrive on websites like ANTIWAR and The American Conservative can be attributed to several factors, which reflect how the mainstream media acts today. 

One reason why it is not common is because the mainstream media often prioritizes a narrative that aligns with the interests of the government and corporate interests. Many major news networks have extensive relationships with government officials which can influence their decisions about what is posted and how it is edited. 


On the other hand, they may avoid critiquing any calls made by the military to avoid backlash from the government and to keep their ratings up. In today’s media, conflict drives mainstream news ratings and revenue. Stories promoting peace may not attract the same level of attention as those centered around conflict and war.


Another reason why antiwar perspectives are not too common in the media is because the commercialization of news media has led to journalism that is run around profits. To maximize revenue, mainstream media often prioritize content that appeals to their target demographics, which may not include antiwar activists. Because of this, the demographics of certain media sources are very narrow.


The last reason why antiwar views aren’t seen is because people rely on the mainstream media's story pattern. People are interested more in what is occurring in the world, and even though it unfortunately is heavy news, it is better than many opinionated pieces like ANTIWAR. Once certain narratives are established, they can be difficult to challenge, and alternative perspectives often do not succeed. 


The rise of social media has allowed smaller websites like ANTIWAR and The American Conservative to flourish. These platforms offer alternative viewpoints and can attract similar-minded individuals, which can form groups. While these websites might be considered "obscure" compared to major news outlets, they provide a valuable space for different perspectives.

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