More Reasons Not To Trust The Media

I really hate the mainstream media. I think that's easy to decipher from just a cursory glance at the kind of content I write on TrigTent.

But don't think that my obvious bias against the liberal media doesn't have justification. I like to consider myself a rational, open-minded person. We all have our blind spots, of course, but when it comes to dealing with the media, you quickly realize something's not right. When approached with an open mind, you soon learn you're dealing with a cesspool.

No matter your personal views, when discussing the media, you quickly discover that the major news outlets in America (and many around the world) are not working for your best interests. Anyone with basic common sense can point out the times the predominately liberal media twists facts, distorts reality, or deliberately omits information, simply to promote a certain narrative.

What is that narrative? Well, it changes from time to time, doesn't it? It's not simply to push liberal dogma onto society; sure, that's a part of it. But you have to realize that not all media covers politics. News outlets like CNN, New York Times, Fox News (yep, I hate them too), and online sites like the Huffington Post are pieces of larger corporations. These corporations have their own agendas.

Often reporters will spin stories that protect their parent companies' best interests. That means honest reporting is way low on the priority totem pole.

Plus in today's media landscape, they are rapidly losing ground to emergent sources of news and entertainment. More and more young people (i.e.: the future) are learning about the world through YouTube or the podcaster of their choice. They don't need New York Times to tell them what to think.

This has led to "respectable" institutions lashing out at the least likely people, in pathetic attempts to discredit them.

That video defending Pew Die Pie after the mainstream media attacked him and called him a racist was made by another YouTuber coming to his defense. Another new influencer who is usurping the traditional media's role in reporting and commenting on current events and culture.

But aside from blatantly attacking people they view as a threat, the mainstream media- for a long time- has thrived on manipulation. Spend a few minutes watching cable news. Then check your pulse rate. It went up, didn't it? News outlets are designed to generate hysteria and fear. They play on your anxiety and worry in order to capture your attention. A while ago I wrote about how negative emotions often elicit a stronger response than positive ones. The media has known this for a long time and abuses it on the regular.

The same goes for online news websites. Even ones I visit regularly- ones that I feel are more honest than the big outlets- violate basic rules of honesty and decency. I often find myself scrolling past headline after headline crafted to generate anger or fear from me. I just want to read the news, you guys! I didn't come here for a heart attack!

But there's just not enough bad news happening every day to justify that kind of hysteria. Sure this week has been pretty bad; over 40 people were injured (and some killed) in a terrorist attack in London. That warrants serious reporting and discussion.

Yet the ongoing state of hysteria from media outlets makes real crisis seem less important, because they're always freaking out.

This is a tactic to keep you glued to your screen. It also generates a sense of vulnerability, so you're more receptive to their brain-washing- I mean, clever suggestions in regards to the facts.

It seems like CNN is the worst aggressor when it comes to distorting facts to promote an agenda. And it's not always a liberal versus conservative thing. Often they slander people they view as rivals or threats to their company's success- even if they're on the same ideological side. Just take that whole dust-up with Alec Baldwin a few years back.

Photographers ambushed the 55-year-old actor outside his New York City home on Thursday, Nov. 14. Outraged, the outspoken star then allegedly called one paparazzo a "c--ksucking f-g." Baldwin denied using the epithet on Twitter and insisted that he actually uttered the word "fathead" instead...

[Anderson] Cooper went after Baldwin once more on Friday, Nov. 15. "Wow, Alec Baldwin shows his true colors yet again. How is he going to lie and excuse his anti-gay slurs this time?" the openly gay star asked. (via Eonline)

Now why would Anderson Cooper make such a big deal about Alec's words, uttered in a moment of anger? Alec Baldwin himself was a celebrated liberal and outspoken in his support for gay rights. Could it have been that- at the time- Baldwin was hosting his own show on MSNBC, opposite Cooper's program on CNN?

Mind you, gay people are being murdered around the world for their orientation, and Baldwin has given to gay charities. You'd think that Cooper and the rest of the gay community would show a little consideration for the man in light of the real crimes.

But no, Cooper made it a mini-crusade to destroy a fellow liberal, who happened to be on a rival network.

Keep in mind, I'm not a fan of either one of these people. Both hold to beliefs that do not reflect my own. But you can't help but feel indignant over how Cooper misrepresented the situation, in a clear attempt at protecting his ratings. Oh, and by the way, Alec lost his show after the incident.

Here's something a little more recent.

Fox News contributor Juan Williams has come out swinging at CNN over the network’s false claim that Fox host Sean Hannity pulled a gun on him in malice following an argument...

"Last year, after ending one of his many spirited on-air arguments with liberal contributor Juan Williams, Hannity pulled out a gun and pointed it directly at Williams, according to three sources with knowledge of the incident." (via Milo)

Wow, scary sounding stuff. If you are one of the empty-head people who watch CNN, you were made to believe that the conservative Hannity got into such a heated debate with the liberal Williams, that the gun-loving man pulled out a firearm to threaten him! That's what gun-nuts do after all- they shoot before they think. More proof we need stricter gun control laws! More proof that Fox News is full of reprobates!

What really happened? Sean Hannity and Juan Williams were discussing firearms, and Sean took out his unloaded gun to simply show it to Juan. Much like if you were discussing something about your smartphone and you took it out to show your friend.

Hannity himself explained: “while discussing the issue of firearms, I showed my good friend Juan Williams my unloaded firearm in a professional and safe manner.”

CNN willfully distorted the situation by making it seem like Hannity was threatening his friend and colleague. How could anyone justify such dishonest and irresponsible reporting?

This is even more obvious in regards to their treatment of President Trump. Okay, maybe you don't like Trump. Maybe you voted for Hillary, or if you live in another country, thought Bernie was a better choice. But that opinion better be based on actual facts- like your disagreement over Trump's policies based on what he's said or planned- not on the dubious reporting from the mainstream media.

Do you really think they are being honest about Trump? It doesn't take much effort to spin a story a certain way. Just look at how liberal media outlets like Politico treated the resignation of U.S. attorneys. In every administration, there is legitimate turnover. The President or the A.G. asks for standing staff to step down. When Obama did it, he simply "replaced" those attorneys. When Trump does it, he "ousts" hard-working, dedicated public servants.

I mean, really? It's the same damn thing. Yet the bias of the media requires that they cast everything Obama did in a positive light and everything Trump does in a negative one. Even if you're a Democrat, you have to see through this nonsense.

Unless you're a Democrat because you've been reading this nonsense. Then maybe you should wake up.

Then, of course, there is my favorite fake news story of the last few weeks: Is Donald Trump afraid of stairs?

CNN aired a segment debating whether or not President Donald Trump is afraid of stairs.

It ran during yesterday’s episode of ‘New Day’ with Chris Cuomo and Alisyn Camerota.

CNN’s national correspondent Jeanne Moos – who The Hill states has been with the network for 34 years – voiced the piece...

Moos goes on to cite this BBC article which insists Trump is “scared of stairs.”

She also cites numerous British tabloids who diagnosed Trump with “bathmophobia” – a supposed fear of stairs and ramps that isn’t even a term used in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders.

Moos continues:

"Ever since hearing about the phobia rumor, I’ve become slightly obsessed with watching President Trump watch his step." (via Milo)

Uh, what? She even admits she's obsessed with the President. I find that particularly hilarious. Even the most enthusiastic Trump supporter isn't obsessed with the man. I mean, he's a nice guy and all, but I have my dignity to think about. Only the foaming-at-the-mouth liberal reporters seem to be far too attached to President Trump, if only to find something to attack.

But seriously, afraid of stairs? This reporter has been in the biz for over 30 years; you'd think she'd be working on much more important issues, like the deplorable conditions of women in Indonesia. Or the over 200 tunnels drug cartels are using to smuggle drugs into the United States from Mexico.

Instead, she is trying to decide if the President of the United States, a man in his 70's, is afraid of steps.

Then, of course, there was the manufactured outrage over Meals on Wheels. When Trump announced his badly needed budget cuts to reduce America's horrible debt and bring the federal government in check, liberals panicked that he was going to deprive thousands of elderly folks of their meals. What a heartless bastard! What a monster! You see? We were right about all our wild, unfounded claims about the man!

Except that Meals on Wheels isn't primarily funded by the government. In fact, only about 3% of its money comes from grants provided to states from D.C. Oh.

I could go on. I actually have many more examples of how the mainstream, liberal media is deliberately lying to you. But I think I made my case clear, for now.

What's the solution? If you're thoroughly convinced (either by me or otherwise) that the media's being dishonest, there are a few things you can do. First, stop supporting blogs, websites, or networks that are pushing this garbage. Even your clicks give them money. Second, support outlets that are actually talking about things in a factual and honest way.

If enough of us do that, then maybe things will change.

P.S.: don' t think this is the last time I rail against the dishonest media. More is to come. Promise.

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