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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to wonder why people buy in to a narrative set by the media ?

76 replies

CatServant2020 · 16/09/2022 14:30

AIBU to wonder why people buy in to a narrative set by the media ?

For example the media decide person A is an angel so do positive articles about them with photos which support this narrative.

The media decide person B is a devil so they only do negative articles about them with photos which support this narrative.

The media also does deals with various institutions that if you don't publish X story then we'll give you Y story.

I just don't get why people don't seem to realise this.

I also wonder how many of the people who were posting #bekind a couple of years ago are doing the opposite now.

#Bekind became a thing because some one was hounded by the media so much they commited suicide, how quickly people forget.

The media decides their position based on what sells more newspaper or gets more clicks and not for any other reason, I just wish people would realise this.

OP posts:
Original poster
CatServant2020 · 16/09/2022 16:11

I'm not one of MM's people that's for sure and am not pro or anti @Floomobal

The reason for my post is to understand why so many people just go along with a media narrative.

I'm trying to understand and if need be have an intelligent debate about the media influence but there's been a couple of comments saying MM which isn't answering my question and isn't even an original reply, it's the go to reply anytime something is said which isn't negative about MM by people such as you.

OP posts:
hangonsnoopy · 16/09/2022 16:15

If person a and person b are people that most of us don't know and will never meet and whose jobs involve no measurable output then we can only take on one of two positions:

  1. The media narrative.
  2. No narrative at all because we don't actually know them.
CatsandFish · 16/09/2022 16:16

Floomobal · 16/09/2022 15:52

I genuinely wonder if MM has people starting these threads, and for what purpose?

Yes, because you truly cannot conceive that there is another viewpoint of MM that isn't a hateful one. The thought that there is another view is so foreign to you that you have to convince yourself it's her, because no one could possibly like her, right? And not long term, rational Mumsnet posters who can see the hate and bullying and racism.

flipflop76 · 16/09/2022 16:19

Not all that long ago people were falling out with family members and friends for not having the jab but we hardly hear about it all now.

Original poster
CatServant2020 · 16/09/2022 16:21

And again can we keep this post about media influence and not specific people.

I agree with media moguls cosying up to politicians and supporting the politicians narrative whilst normally both profit from the association.

I also know that various stories are buried by the media in return they will be given a different story or access at a different time.

I know it happens and I know a lot of people like me read different media sources and form our own opinions but some people don't and I'd just like to understand the media narrative is the one they go with.

OP posts:
catandcoffee · 16/09/2022 16:29

OP someone already answered your question....some people are thick as fuck.

Original poster
CatServant2020 · 16/09/2022 16:31

I agree @hangonsnoopy.

It should be option 2 but it isn't for some people and that's what I don't understand.

I normally don't post but some people need to consider the media influence on our lives.

OP posts:
apintortwo · 16/09/2022 16:31

I just don't get why people don't seem to realise this

But people do realise, maybe they are not very vocal about it as they have no need to be

apintortwo · 16/09/2022 16:33

some people need to consider the media influence on our lives

Something is obviously bothering you OP, who is the person you have a problem with?

eighteenmonthstogo · 16/09/2022 16:44

Vast majority of the press is conservative/right wing owned. Sun, Mail, Telegraph, Times. Express. With average readership of about 3.5 m

The ones which aren't . Guardian, I, Mirror attract just over half a million . So there is is a disparity there from the get go.

Given that the majority do not get their news from the papers anymore you have to then look at where they are getting their news from. So the next step is the TV and Internet. Again a large chunk of these have vested interests in the shape of the Murdoch (Sky) and Branson (Virgin) corporation.

Vested interest/slanted news coupled with peoples inability to think critically .. along with very clever journalism such as the Daily Mail that prays on the fact that people want their news both bite-sized and populist .. clever as in manipulative not clever content!

All of the above is also why the Tory press have such hatred of the BBC. The press barons have it all to themselves at the moment with the exception of the BBC.. who are about as unbiased and respected as it's possible to be. That's why they want them abolished. To give the right wingers a clear field. Without the inconvenience of truth to hold them to account.

50but17inside · 16/09/2022 16:50

Notonyerwelly · 16/09/2022 16:01

After this week I have came to the conclusion that most people are thick as fuck

I could not agree more.

Original poster
CatServant2020 · 16/09/2022 16:56

I don't have an issue with any person @apintortwo, I am just disgusted today by the media led narrative and and the vile comments which are coming from this.

Maybe we need to be a bit more vocal about things that are going on that we don't think are right, apathy allows things to carry on happening or not change.

OP posts:
Original poster
CatServant2020 · 16/09/2022 17:25

Like I said this post is more about media narratives and their relationships especially to those in power.

I also mentioned stories being buried and the media being given other stories in return and others have posted about relationships between the media and politicians, we know these things happen but we let them and don't hold anyone accountable.

I don't know what the answer is but am pleased that at least some people agree that media narratives should not just be believed and that some people look at both sides of an issue and then make their minds up.

OP posts:
TooBigForMyBoots · 16/09/2022 17:38

Some people are questioning it now, after being manipulated into voting Brexit. But some people just "double down" when it is explained to them. Others accept it in the moment, but then revert back to their previous position because it's more comfortable for them.

apintortwo · 16/09/2022 17:48

after being manipulated into voting Brexit

🙄

DreadingWinter · 16/09/2022 17:57

The media twist things to suit their narrative. They sometimes downright lie. As someone who has had pure nonsense written about them, there's nothing that can be done. The Press Complaints Commission is completely toothless and, imo, in the pocket of the large media companies. All you can do is sit back helplessly and ride out whatever storm is currently in the headlines. I feel truly sorry for those that have ongoing stories written about them day in and day out.

jasminan · 16/09/2022 18:08

The BBC is driving me insane at the moment. It's basically state media. I couldn't believe it yesterday when the HEADLINE news was about this woman who got a coach from the NE to London to see the Queen resting in state. It's like it's feeding a narrative into the public psyche - "join the queue, join the queue.., look at this amazing woman who travelled OVERNIGHT ti join the queue... look we're reporting again next to the queue... how long is the queue now ... 3 miles .... ooh 7 miles... let's talk to some people in the queue ... it's getting longer .... what will it be like at the weekend.... look how far the great British public are travelling to get in THE QUEUE ..,,"

Literally all day. I mean, I know it's a massive event and I did like the queen, but it all feels like I imagine it would be in North Korea if their leader passed - 24/7 coverage and everyone fed a narrative.

At least if you watch that GB News you know what you're getting. Disgusting Farage at 6pm drinking his beer and pontificating. But we will soon be at a point like in is in the US where people just pick your news channel to reinforce their political persuasion. The BBC just feels like it's lost credibility these days. It's starts at 7am in the couch with Naga Munchetti et al - it's like the Daily Fail magazine with a selected list of "doogooder" members if the public; Strictly contestants and whinging stories of doom and gloom.

Rant over!

FrecklesMalone · 16/09/2022 18:13

I remember thinking about this during Brexit and wondering why people couldn't see that it was being done to only benefit a few people. The same with voting Tory unless you are well off. It's absolutely amazing to see how gullible people are. I can't work out if either people aren't very good a critical thinking or don't think about it much at all.

AgentJohnson · 16/09/2022 18:17

Er what! The invasion of the Ukraine has been on the front page of the Guardian since the beginning and is regularly the second or third story on Radio 4. Just because the media you choose to consume prioritises some news stories above others, doesn’t mean that it isn’t being reported elsewhere. The anti Meghan crusade is a narrative that has a certain amount of public backing which in turn, keeps the beast alive.

Your ‘why is everyone so gullible except me and others that agree with me’ sanctimony is just so meh.

Teenyliving · 16/09/2022 18:18

50% of the population is dumber than the average person

PawsAndlicorice · 16/09/2022 18:19

I think it's a fair question OP.

I must have missed Black mirror, is it still worth watching? I watched the trailer, it sounds good.

With Meghan, she is producing Media herself and works for one of the biggest content producers in the world, Netflix. Catherine and William are not afforded such a privilege. They will have a huge challenge to carve out a new brand of British royalty. Things are changing in this country and we do live in interesting times.

lljkk · 16/09/2022 18:21

My boss came out with a "the world is going to the dogs" opinion last week. I felt so depressed hearing that. It's such a popular and pointless view. British people especially just love to hate something and to revel in that mutually. I had thought better of him than thinking he'd jump into that mindset. That's the kind of mainstream (self-defeatist) thinking I'd like to avoid being exposed to.

My colleagues had a 45 minute tirade about company policies yesterday. So tedious. They do this regularly, at least once a month !! omg, can't they talk about beer or even fine women, instead??!!

No clue what MSM is saying that offended OP. Not enough media focus on fine beer & women, maybe?

BlancmanegeBunny · 16/09/2022 18:24

People are not taught to question information presented to them, to analyse sources of information or to think about any agenda the source may have.

Nothing is black or white but people are so quick to decide that someone is all go d or all bad which is never the case. We are all human and all flawed!

wb3 · 16/09/2022 18:26

Think of how stupid the average person is. 49% of the population are more stupid than that guy.

Whatsthepointofmosquitos · 16/09/2022 18:29

People are mostly very dumb.

Our ancestors believed in witches and that it was ok to drown/burn them alive. In Iran the morality policy just beat a woman to death for wearing her headacarf in a way they didn’t like, and those murderers think they’ve got the moral highground.

Humans pick someone to demonise and persecute, tis what most people do.

Our society is one of the most highly educated in human history and we are still so dumb that currently some of our children are learning in school that a boy who likes ballet and flowers might really be a girl and should consider a lifetime of drugs and surgery.

Meanwhile the ice caps are melting, floods, drought, and famine arising, yet we’re driving around in petrol powered cars while Putin burns his spare gas into the atmosphere for the hell of it.

Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.

Assume that everyone you meet is mad and stupid and then if occasionally you meet someone who isn’t that’ll be a pleasant surprise.