Manipulative Media

When reading about the Marxist analysis by Berger I was interested in how he described the manipulation of Media by the Ruling class as a means of controlling the thoughts and feelings of the proletariat. In a digital age however I feel it is harder and harder for this fact to remain true. By having access to larger network of people, ideas and news can't be controlled soley by media conglomerates. Although they may have a way of influencing us and our decisions, by and large the internet allows for scrutinization of any claims the media makes. For example the internet has allowed for greater scrutiny of political candidates as well as reveal who their donors are and how that can affect the issues they support. Although the politicians themselves may not be more transparent about what they believe in or what their true agenda is, people have a way of communicating to each other directly instead of just relying on what the media tells them. Through this there is greater accountability and scrutiny applied to who we elect to office and our perception of them isn't just what the media tells us.

Through mediums such as the internet people can find out the facts themselves and reveal truths about politicians in ways that could never have been achieved before the internet. The days of Media being able to fully direct the hearts and minds of the masses are waning and people will be able to form their own opinions and ideas independent of any media bias.

All in all the internet allows for both greater transparency and can allow the masses to take an honest look at who they elect. Although it can also be used for slander. I feel the good garnered from transparency will outweigh any potential false claims or misdirection.