The Network shows the transformation of the media from being a fact-based establishment to a form of entertainment. When news media started at first there were very few competition. However as technology progressed more channels were invented and when there is a variety of information out there competition continues to grow. The question is of who is to blame about the current state of the media is it corporate moguls, media executives or an audience that simply wants to be entertained. This essay will show that there isn’t one particular party here to blame but rather all of them. This essay, will discuses how each of those three components had a hand in transforming the news from an informative source to a source of entertainment and profit.
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Howard Beales’ character predicted the future of what most ‘respected’ journalists in the future would look and act like in the name of ratings. In recant news we have journalists both left and right wing exposed by less respected and know journalists for lying about their experience as a journalist in order to gain respect in the industry. We have journalist like Brian Williams who lied about an experience that he had while covering the Iraq war . And, just like in the film as soon as he mad that slip up all other news medias jumped in trying to spin the story as much as they could in the name of ratings. Then we have Bill O’Reilly whom again “less respected” journalists exposed for exaggerating and lying about the wars he had covered in order to establish a connection with the public . Both of these journalists lied and dramatically exaggerated the truth in order to be well established in the television business and be considered the top in their …show more content…
One of the medias main purposes is to make money and make sure that their stock prices are up; very few corporations own almost all of the media . After Howard attacked the source of income at his job he was ordered to make things right no matter what it took. The main purpose of his show suddenly shifted from telling his viewers what he truly thought, to making sure that his employer (UBS) was not losing any money. This again was a clear message that corporate interest must always be put first even if it means having to censor the truth. An example of these kinds of behavior would be the firing of MSNBC anchor Phil Donahue. Phil Donahue made the mistake of rightfully criticizing the Iraq war in 2003, forgetting whom he was working for. At that time General Electric owned MSNBC; GE was one of the companies that benefited most from the Iraq war . MSNBC off course justified the decision of firing Donahue because of low rating rather than corporate interests were
Howard Beales’ character predicted the future of what most ‘respected’ journalists in the future would look and act like in the name of ratings. In recant news we have journalists both left and right wing exposed by less respected and know journalists for lying about their experience as a journalist in order to gain respect in the industry. We have journalist like Brian Williams who lied about an experience that he had while covering the Iraq war . And, just like in the film as soon as he mad that slip up all other news medias jumped in trying to spin the story as much as they could in the name of ratings. Then we have Bill O’Reilly whom again “less respected” journalists exposed for exaggerating and lying about the wars he had covered in order to establish a connection with the public . Both of these journalists lied and dramatically exaggerated the truth in order to be well established in the television business and be considered the top in their …show more content…
One of the medias main purposes is to make money and make sure that their stock prices are up; very few corporations own almost all of the media . After Howard attacked the source of income at his job he was ordered to make things right no matter what it took. The main purpose of his show suddenly shifted from telling his viewers what he truly thought, to making sure that his employer (UBS) was not losing any money. This again was a clear message that corporate interest must always be put first even if it means having to censor the truth. An example of these kinds of behavior would be the firing of MSNBC anchor Phil Donahue. Phil Donahue made the mistake of rightfully criticizing the Iraq war in 2003, forgetting whom he was working for. At that time General Electric owned MSNBC; GE was one of the companies that benefited most from the Iraq war . MSNBC off course justified the decision of firing Donahue because of low rating rather than corporate interests were