Media Institution: Crash Course Government and Politics #44

So today we're going to look at the rather thorny issue of the media and its role in politics. Wether you're talking about older forms of media like newspapers and radio or newer forms like television and the Internet, all media serves the same purpose - to provide information to the public. So we're going to discuss their strengths and weaknesses and examine how both content creators and consumers play a role in the information that is told. It could be argued that because the media only relays information it isn't actually important to the American political system, but when you look more closely at what and how this information affects voters as well as their elected officials, we can more clearly see its importance as a political institution.

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[The_Whitlovian]

"There's no commercials on the Internet." That's always funny.

[luluopal]

Saved me from reading 40 pages of a textbook. Thanks thoughtbubble.

[thdoctor]

I think there needs to be a "crash course media studies"

[Nekotamer]

sometimes i forget i have a tv...
i can relate to that.

[TokenBlackman]

@5:20 - 6:23 -- Love the Spider-Man, Jonah Jameson, and Daredevil references!

[Lucy-ngcw]

Can you do a second series on world politics and different systems ?

[bbkingzor]

I recommend Noam Chomsky's and Edward S. Herman's "Manufacturing Consent" for a deep analysis of the workings of mass-media institutions. For anyone truly concerned with upholding democracy and the necessity for free media should take a look at this book. Fair warning, though, their conclusions might not exactly uplift your "America is the freest country evaaah"-spirit.

[guylaurent]

The media right or left never challenge the candidates, there's so many questions to ask them...

[SexualPotatoes]

That chart on 3:39 isn't too useful in today's landscape. With 2007-2008 came the release of the first mass-market smartphones. The number of those in America today (nearing 200 million!) must have changed these numbers quite a lot. Even streaming services like Netflix and Hulu didn't exist back then. I'm sorry to see your data wasn't up-to-date.

[chrisk]

Good video as usual, thanks. I'm disappointed that the concentration of ownership (over the last couple of decades) of mainstream media wasn't mentioned and neither was the infiltration of mainstream media by organizations like the CIA. I think both are responsible for the lack of reporting on important subjects that those in control don't want reported. On the flip side, internet reporting often occurs with little fact checking and limited ownership of mistakes. Still, I'll take the internet over Reuters PR BS any day. :)

[makaylarobinson]

who feels bad for that eagle always being knocked on the floor?
_oh me ok then~_

[rigrentals]

GETTING READY TO WRITE AN ESSAY ON MEDIA BIAS!!! THANK YOU CRASH COURSE GOVENMENT AND POLITICS

[thTuesday]

Thanks Craig and Crash Course for this. 'twas good.

[Zeekar]

I think this should have a part 2. Or even 3 or 4. It felt like it ended a little short and could have gone more into possible solutions to educating yourself when all the lowest hanging fruit (so to speak) are so biased. Who has time to research everything that could possibly be an issue?

[Leftistattheparty]

They should talk about think tanks and how money is affecting them, cough cough, Koch bros and Heritage Foundation, Americans for Prosperity, Cato Institute, etc.

[quietthomas]

Found it strange that this didn't talk about the wire services, particularly the big three: The AP, The AFP and Reuters.

[sheepwshotguns]

If you found this interesting i recommend googling noam chomsky and the bias of the elite. He has some great insight i know you'll love.

[carolfabarez]

The chart was great, but has a massive typo - actually two. It says "The Trend in Regular New Consumption". Good video overall, though.

[tribble]

The criticisms of the media don't even scratch the surface. No mention of Noam Chomsky is deplorable.

[rockyimminence]

Anyone else get the Marvel's Daredevil Reference at 5:32 ?