Yes, anything that requires even a little attention and holistic thought from people runs in the opposite direction to the purpose of (esp. televison) news, which is to pander to, and promote our animal instincts that lead us along hedonic treadmills to oblivion.

The broadcasting oligopoly is the most powerful influence over peoples lives I'd say, and those who set the agenda surely have more power than our elected government.

If only the types of things we discuss here were given an important place in our education system. But then people wouldn't make such passive, all consuming, debt slaves - I suppose.

At least we can reasonably expect a change of some sort when consumers are no longer fit for purpose, rendered that way by poverty.

I reckon Euan Mearns's comment above about the role adopted by the Media is one of the most pertinent and accurate observations I have ever read. I intend to write it down and re-read regularly so that I can reassure myself of the relatively simple changes that could help put the world right!

Thanks so much for publicising this speech by Gordon Brown.
I am sure I was not the only UK Oil Drum reader who was literally starting to despair at the empty soundbytes and general cluelessness being reported from the UK government around critical issues of energy and economic policy.

Thanks.
Peter, Tamworth.

Euan, you are being kind in attributing the bias to sensationalism. I receive 4 local newspapers each week, delivered to my door, free of charge. The major dailies cost $.50/issue, a price that has not changed in 20 years.

The cost of producing a newspaper is now almost entirely paid through advertising. To see where the editorial allegiance lies, just count the advert column inches. They are allocated to cars, (mostly suburban) real estate, (mostly imported) groceries, travel, and entertainment, in that order.

I expect never to read about peak oil, distress of car manufacturers, distress of builders, or need to relocalize in my local papers. The reporting is pure payola, designed to reinforce the impact of the ads.

In video, BBC, CBC, ABC are truly public, though political animals. NPR is paid for by rich though varied patrons. The rest are just as oil-dependent as the papers. I think media requires constant attention to motive, and must be interpreted accordingly.

Euan,

Here is another speech that set the course for the alternative energy options we have today. It is kind of sweet thinking of a family of four getting a tax cut on $10,000/yr. Notice that Carter emphasizes greater nuclear safety rather than seeing nuclear power as a future energy source. Perhaps he could see TMI coming. Brown's enthusiasm, in contrast, seems to lack prudence.

http://www.americanpresidents.org/ram/amp120399_e.ram

Chris