How Nutritious Is Your Information Diet?: Frugal Dad Investigates Media Consolidation

Many of us have intense and intimate relationships with our media sources, and we enjoy the sensation of the world at our fingertips. How many corporations mediate our access to that world? Do you know? Should we care? The blogger known as Frugal Dad argues that we should, and he expresses alarm that our media experiences are in increasingly fewer hands; his infographic was published in November 2011 on the Frugal Dad blog. 

Read it here: Frugal Dad, "Media consolidation: The illusion of choice"

 

1. In his introduction to the infographic, Frugal Dad uses metaphor to argue that we should be as mindful of our media consumption as we are of our food consumption. Is the metaphor effective for you? Why or why not? 
2. Jason Zinser, whose article “The Good, the Bad, and The Daily Show” appears in Chapter 15 of your text, claims that “non-traditional news outlets can be catalysts for political and social change,” and he focuses attention on media products such as The Daily Show and Rush Limbaugh’s radio broadcasts. Do Zinser and Frugal Dad make complementary arguments? How are their arguments similar? How are they different? Would Frugal Dad’s infographic do more to support or to refute Zinser’s argument?
3. Keep a log of your media use for two days. Include all of the programs and periodicals that you read, watch, and listen to. When your log is complete, check all the entries against Frugal Dad’s list of the six major media companies and their products. (You will need to trace ownership of programs and publications.) What proportion of your list is owned by the six major companies? Is your figure higher than you expected? Lower? Are you surprised by the results? Why or why not?
4. Frugal Dad’s inference is that the extreme consolidation of media ownership is undesirable and presents a threat to the free flow of and access to information. Do you agree? Write an essay in which you address this question: Does the consolidation of ownership restrict the spectrum of ideas and positions that are available to a general U.S. audience? Support your argument with examples and appropriate citations.

 

Comments

[Rhonda]

Like the blog, appreciate the share!

[LatifKhan]

Media represent 'freedom of speech' and integrity of each American. With 6 companies controlling what all Americans (and also other continents) listen to in news, one wonders who's interest do these 6 companies serve?

How credible is the news that is mimicked by all 6 companies. Major executives of these 6 companies are also senior people in other corporations like Monsanto and Government services officials. So its not just a matter of 6 companies. Our media is controlled by the same group of companies that decide policies for the American people
In such a case, where is 'freedom of speech'?

The American polpulation is undergoing mass mind control and like sheep are shepharded through propaganda model.

[Jasen Villalobos]

Americans are unaware of the “big six” and the control they have over 90% of what they watch, read, and listen to. Jason (Frugal Dad) and many other people alike share the concern of the big six’s control and the effects from it. As a critical thinker, I also share this concern and agree that we should care more about what is being shown to us. It is easy to say that we have the choice and control to view whatever it is that we want, however, this is entirely false. This type of control can have a negative impact to our society. Many Americans are brainwashed through a variety of factors that exploits violence in such manner that makes it acceptable. Some of these contributing factors can be portrayed through books, music, video games, and the media. Another example is how sexuality has been illustrated over the years. Before the big six acquired their power, sex was not talked about as much as it is today. It has become a main topic of conversation to many people including the youth. This certainly can be freighting to parents because it is impossible to censor sex since it can be found anywhere especially with the click of a button on a remote control or a home computer. The big six have the power to make us aware of a topic or completely oblivious to one. These corporations have too much power and Americans are unaware of their secret agenda that they may or may not have. Let us face it; we are controlled by the big six no matter where it is that we look to. A solution would be to keep asking questions, think critically, and independently. America needs to wake up and break free from the chains of control in order to be free.

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