Rhetrickery in the Media Advanced Rhetorical Writing Matt Barton
Slide 2 Why its difficult Analyzing media corruption is difficult
for these reasons: The term media is ambiguous; what exactly should
be considered media? How much reliable info do we have about media
in other countries? Most of what we learn about corrupt media
practices comes from the media! Slide 3 What kind of Corruption?
The media can be corrupt in two basic ways: Unconscious misleading
because of careless reporting and fact-gathering The media
constantly make careless errors, rely on faulty evidence We are all
thirsty for evidence supporting our deeply held views, and tend to
take it at face value when we find it. Consciously, deliberately
misleading Slide 4 First Motive: Cash Money: Im willing to accept
bribes for giving rhetorical support to any positionBy embracing
the dictated position, I can maybe become rich. Slide 5 Second
Motive: Job Security Political Support and Public Safety For the
sake of job security, I have to be hide my true opinions. I must
present myself as neutral, or even support for, issues I personally
disagree with. No one wants to lose his or her job over a personal
issue. Slide 6 Third Motive: Fame Celebrity: I want to make it, to
get to the top of the profession. Fame yields money, serving the
bosses yields money, money yields fame. Fixating on frivolous
popular issues will bring more viewers than addressing serious,
truly relevant issues. Slide 7 Fourth Motive: Dogma Dogmatic
commitment I will passionately defend my own position; I will
support my side while ignoring what my opponents say. Being
dogmatic is less dangerous when the person is upfront about being
prejudiced; its worse when the dogma is touted as objective or no
spin. Slide 8 A Sad State of Affairs The success of corrupt
political rhetoric depends on the media, which in turn are
corrupted by political bias. Our politicians rhetoric is so riddled
with misinformation, mindless clich, and meaningless spectacle that
it has ceased to have any relevance to the problems it alleges to
address. -- Alterman Slide 9 Crossfire-ism Political talk shows
pretend to present both sides, but no actual dialogue takes
placeonly shoddy win rhetoric. Shouting matches make for
entertaining viewing, perhaps, but are definitely not listening
rhetoric. Opponents are caricatures. Slide 10 The Cure You must
learn to be careful about what you take from the media: think hard
about what you read and see. Get more practice in
listening-rhetoric and learn how to deal critically with media
rhetrickery.
