Gransnet forums

News & politics

Polarisation of society

(260 Posts)
varian Wed 29-Mar-23 11:17:55

Former US President Barak Obama has told an Australian audience that Rupert Murdoch's media empire has fuelled a polarisation of society

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/29/rupert-murdoch-has-fuelled-polarisation-of-society-barack-obama-says

Grantanow Fri 31-Mar-23 09:56:51

I sometimes read the Wail to understand how the dimwits are being manipulated and frankly because it makes me laugh. I read other mainstream papers too with a critical eye.

Caleo Fri 31-Mar-23 11:14:41

Grantanow, I expect you would agree that children at school should be taught sceptical judgement. If they are not taught how to evaluate by use of the enlightenment idea of scepticism then the school is not doing its job.

Galaxy Fri 31-Mar-23 11:19:24

How the dimwits are being manipulated?
That people can use phrases like this and think they are the 'goodies'.

crazygranny Fri 31-Mar-23 12:03:21

It's Rupert Murdoch who should be indicted for his role in the near loss of American democracy!

GrannyGravy13 Fri 31-Mar-23 12:12:21

Grantanow I actually think that when folks starting calling sectors of the electorate dimwits they have lost any credibility.

Fleurpepper Fri 31-Mar-23 12:35:42

Well I tend to agree, using such terms is not helpful.

However, anyone who believes the that is printed in the DM must be at the very least gullible, but possibly worse if it matches their sentiments about immigrants, foreigners, etc.

Caleo Fri 31-Mar-23 12:54:37

Quite right Granny Gravy. It's not the fault of Daily Mail readers that they tend to have have dim ideas.

Galaxy Fri 31-Mar-23 13:05:54

Unbelievable. Lecturing on the polarisation of society whilst calling people names.

M0nica Fri 31-Mar-23 14:36:06

Can some of the people looking down on the little people who they know are constantly led by the nose by Murdoch and his cronies to vote for people that they, the superior ones, know are absoutely wrong, please tell us what their sources are for information that is completely unbiased and unprejudiced in any form, leaning neither to right or left in reporting events and make no comments on everything, nor suggesting whether they approve or dislike anything.

I am sure many of us buying and reading papers nd magazines across the political spectrum would be really glad to know.

Dinahmo Fri 31-Mar-23 14:41:59

ronib

Murdoch has not picked prime ministers with much staying power with his alleged preferred candidates not lasting a full term of office - events overtook Cameron, May and BJ. Democracy still at work therefore?

Do we assume Sunak is in Murdoch’s pocket by now?

What do we imagine Murdoch thinks of Starmer?

Probably not a lot. Which means that Murdoch is probably losing his edge.

ronib Fri 31-Mar-23 14:44:17

If anyone cares, the Daily Mail is owned by Viscount Rothermere and family. I don’t know that Obama had him in his sights?

Fleurpepper Fri 31-Mar-23 14:45:43

Fleurpepper

Well I tend to agree, using such terms is not helpful.

However, anyone who believes the that is printed in the DM must be at the very least gullible, but possibly worse if it matches their sentiments about immigrants, foreigners, etc.

I typed in 4 * in between 'However, anyone who believes the

(and) that is printed in ...

but it was edited out.

Casdon Fri 31-Mar-23 14:58:30

ronib

If anyone cares, the Daily Mail is owned by Viscount Rothermere and family. I don’t know that Obama had him in his sights?

He was talking about the influence of Murdoch and News Corp media worldwide? For what it’s worth, the papers owned by Murdoch are the Sun, the Times and Sunday Times. This is not just about newspapers!

Dinahmo Fri 31-Mar-23 14:59:20

For anyone who's interested here's a link to a report of the Brooks etc trial which explains in part how she was found not guilty. The prosecuting barrister had one assistant and an occasional solicitor The defence had several barristers and solicitors ready to hand them information as and when necessary. It cost Murdoch millions. Apparently the lead prosecutor earned less than 10% of some of the defence counsels' daily fees. A go of example of what money can buy.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jun/25/-sp-phone-hacking-trial-rebekah-brooks-rupert-murdoch

Grany Fri 31-Mar-23 16:07:08

Imagine what we could use that cash for instead..

Casdon Fri 31-Mar-23 16:56:02

Was that an opportunity to post a random Republic poster that’s not relevant to the thread Grany, or are you saying that in your opinion republicans and monarchists clashing is the reason we have a polarised society?

varian Fri 31-Mar-23 18:43:28

M0nica

Can some of the people looking down on the little people who they know are constantly led by the nose by Murdoch and his cronies to vote for people that they, the superior ones, know are absoutely wrong, please tell us what their sources are for information that is completely unbiased and unprejudiced in any form, leaning neither to right or left in reporting events and make no comments on everything, nor suggesting whether they approve or dislike anything.

I am sure many of us buying and reading papers nd magazines across the political spectrum would be really glad to know.

Analysis of voting in 2016 EU referendum by newspaper readership shows percentage who voted to leave the EU as follows-

Guardian 12
the "i" 26
The Times 38
Metro 42
Financial Times 44
Other 48
Daily Mirror 48
Daily Telegraph 68
Daily Mail 68
The Sun 70
Daily Star 71
Daily Express 78
"

www.statista.com/statistics/1072148/brexit-vote-by-newspaper-preference/

M0nica Fri 31-Mar-23 18:52:23

People read papers that reflect their views. They do not choose a papers at random and then adapt their views to match it.

varian Fri 31-Mar-23 19:07:14

How are their views formed in the first place?

Passthechocolates Fri 31-Mar-23 19:18:46

I love the Daily Mail, it’s my newspaper of choice always plenty to read.
Most newspapers have political bias one way or another and are caught out exaggerating the truth.

varian Fri 31-Mar-23 19:23:52

The Daily Mail, prints very little that is actually true but does appeal to those who are interested in soap stars, pop stars, football stars, film stars, royalty and other "celebs" especially if they are involved in scandals.

Many people find all that interesting and entertaining so they buy the Daily Mail, and just allow the political propaganda to seep through.

Passthechocolates Fri 31-Mar-23 19:24:05

Caleo

Quite right Granny Gravy. It's not the fault of Daily Mail readers that they tend to have have dim ideas.

I’m actually intelligent and articulate and not even a tiny bit dim.
I suggest those criticising cast the beam out of their on eye before trying to demean other for their perfectly free choice.

varian Fri 31-Mar-23 19:26:37

Just check out the "don't miss " section

www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html

Arto1s Fri 31-Mar-23 19:48:17

If anybody caused polarisation, it was Obama himself; and I certainly wouldn’t pay money to listen to him - it was bad enough when he was the President…

ronib Fri 31-Mar-23 20:10:29

varian

Just check out the "don't miss " section

www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html

Varian I guess you were interested in the £2million diamond engagement ring Murdoch bought his fifth fiancée?