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The not-so-surprising results of a study conducted by the National Hispanic Media Coalition and the polling firm Latino Decisions shows that what you watch on TV largely affects what you think.
Research was conducted in two parts. In the first part, 900 non-Latino Americans were asked about how they received their news and entertainment and what their thoughts were concerning immigrants and Latinos. The second part asked 3,000 non-Latinos to share their views on immigrants and Latinos after watching video clips, listening to audio, and reading articles about Latinos and immigrants.
Astonishingly, about 30 percent of the non-Latino respondents thought that at least half of all Latinos in America are here illegally.
Predictably, however, people who have little experience with Latinos in their daily lives possess more negative views toward Latinos; on the flip side, positive views toward Latinos and immigrants increased with a person’s experience with such groups.
TV and radio also play a huge role, but that’s more non-news than actual news. Americans who watch Fox News or listen to conservative talk radio hold more negative views toward Latinos and immigrants than people who watch MSNBC and listen to, say, NPR. Those who regularly consume conservative media are much more likely to think Latinos are largely undocumented, on welfare, and having too many kids.
People who watch Fox News or listen to talk radio are also twice as likely to believe Latinos are taking American jobs.
It’s a very strange time we’re in now. Where once news was unbiased and independent, today, major stations are muscled by big-business interests and appeal to audience members on the far ends of the political spectrum. CNN, widely recognized as the preeminent independent news station, has been steadily trailing its more partisan counterparts, Fox News and MSNBC, stations which cater to people with petrified political stances.
The news shouldn’t be balanced, of course, only disinterested. There are two sides to every debate, but that doesn’t mean there are two sides to every issue. If one party were to contend that the moon really is made of blue cheese, CNN shouldn’t report that the two parties simply disagree. The news should report truths as well as reveal untruths.
Oh, how satisfying it is to turn on the TV or tune to a radio station and hear someone saying things that are perfectly aligned with your own politics. It feels good to be told how good and clear your perception is on important issues of the day.
But if we only get our news from Fox News or MSNBC, we run the risk of confining ourselves to the infamous bubble, where no new facts or arguments penetrate, and our ability to think critically soon atrophies.
The late polemicist Christopher Hitchens, in offering advice to the new generation of Americans, wrote that “The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.” Well put, Hitch.
May we all remember the importance of loving the truth more than we love our own opinions.
About Hector Luis Alamo, Jr.
Not sure it’s fair to paint MSNBC as the polar opposite of Fox, with the former being the extreme left. It’s clear that Fox doesn’t rely on actual facts when reporting news. We all know this. It’s also clear that this particular “news” station very likely intends to build fear and create racial animosity between conservative white folks and both people of color and liberal-minded people.
In terms of MSNBC, it seems to me that this network actually values facts in a way that Fox doesn’t. MSNBC also doesn’t demonize people of color, women, and poor folks in the extreme ways that Fox does. However, I think it’s important to note that none of this means MSNBC is the radical opposite of Fox in terms of socio-political ideology. This article almost implies that MSNBC is a “far-left” network, one that “caters to people with petrified political stances.” This is untrue. it’s a corporate powerhouse that at times has shortcomings when dealing critically with matters pertaining to race, immigration, economics, global affairs, etc. Perhaps it would be more accurate to describe MSNBC as more middle of the road or a little left of center.
Frank Aquino, yes, seriously. “Far left” refers to things like communism and anarchism. MSNBC is not “far left” in any real sense of the term. I hope you understand this. In efforts to criticize and discount MSNBC, centrists, liberals, progressives, and basically anyone who doesn’t agree with conservative politics, right-wing zealots throw out terms like “far left,” “communist,” “socialist,” etc. In the end, MSNBC is not a “far left” news station. PERIOD.
Christopher Chilo Cajigas and Abel Feltes – I enjoyed reading both of your comments.
Everything in life is about balance, let’s not confine or narrow ourselves down to one issue or side of the spectrum. Political parties are there to balance each other out, and us latinos need to help broaden the mind of those who have misconceptions about our culture, always remember that actions speak louder than words, we need to carry ourselves in such a way.. And always be proud of our roots, upbringing and the places where we come from.
The media is ALWAYS biased. This is important to understand and understanding this is part of what it means to develop critical thinking skills. Mainstream media’s biggest bias is that it is for profit. They must maintain reasonably good relationships with the businesses and corporations that they sell their ads to. They can find a niche of people to advertise to, but they can’t express views opposed to this niche market. The other major bias that our media has is that it’s information consumers are Americans who are internationally wealthy, so all of the stories tend to have a pro-American stance that is rarely truly critical of the US.
Smaller, non-mainstream media outlets has different biases such as lack of access and a bit less expectation of source checking for the information that is obtained.
In all cases of gathering information from different sources of media, you should try to understand what biases that media has and how that affects what is being presented to you.
The upholding and creation of stereotypes is just one example of the byproduct of our media biases. The best that we can do is recognize how media affects how we think and to address this with introspection and critical thinking.
You have to be kidding me. In the past there where only 3 corporate networks and they where all liberal in their thinking and editorial content as they continue to be- there were no conservative or alternative view points. Now you have Fox News, the Internet and bloggers. Very different. Walter Cronkite and 60 minutes, Barbara Walters… All old school liberals.
“It’s a very strange time we’re in now. Where once news was unbiased and independent, today”
Actually as a Latino, I tend to believe the conservative view on Latinos and illegals. Its what i see in the community here in NYC. Sadly that is the way it is, it is the truth. There is a lot of social dysfunction in the Latino community that Latinos themselves don’t want admit or accept the reality.
As to negative Latino stereotypes in the media and Hollywood, as I have said before many times…that industry is not run by conservative Republican Christian males…but by others.
All of this pisses you off because there is more than one point of view nowadays and the leftist monopoly on information has been severely challenged.
Why do you think liberals get their panties all in a twist when challenged and then try to implement “fairness doctrines”, speech codes, and efforts to actually close down Fox News?
Fox News is one institution. It hasn’t always been around, but during the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s the old school liberal media reigned supreme yet those Latino negative perceptions in the media where still around. You can’t blame conservatives.
Conservative Americans don’t have a problem with legal measured immigration, the problem arises when those “immigrants” suddenly take part in illegal and negative behaviors.
Let’s face it, liberals have lost their monopoly in the media. And because of that, we get articles like this one on BL.
And Latinos have to start to own a lot of the negative stereotypes they themselves have created. They need to be responsible for it and stop blaming others for their short comings they have created.
wait wait wait , what corporate networks were ever liberal in this country. Did you guys finish school? the words corporate and liberal rarely go hand in hand
Well what the hell do you expect when you spend the better part of the last few years Referring to ILLEGALS AS “IMMIGRANTS” and pretending ILLEGALS Are all LATINO and pretending everyone who disagrees with you, LOL.. Referring to Illegals and immigrants and Illegals as Synonnymous etc etc etc etc… WAKE UP!!! PRO-ILLEGALS are the pathetic Tea-baggers of the Latino Community and have Contributed to stigmatizing the Latino Community…
Christopher, what do you mean, “you guys”? Mario’s the only one who is saying there is a liberal bias.
NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, New York Times were never conservative. On the contrary they have always been liberal media outlets. Corporations are not necessarily conservative institutions.
Same goes for the individuals that wrote West Side Story (that’s where the negative Latino stereotypes began in the media) they were actually urban leftists with communist sympathies.
I like Rachael otherwise but frankly Illegals that are NOT Latino go to sleep anw wake up LAUGHING at naive people like her…THANKS PRO-ILLEGALS For hanging this issue on the Latino Community because you can’t defend your positions Honestly!! NO: NO LAWS Broken here ??? Everyone is RACIST Rigth?? PATHETIC!
Dude my friend has worked at the Times for the last 7 years and you have no idea how much editing goes on before a piece is presented. Much is held back from the people because how they’d react. All of those media outlets NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN are all owned by right wing conservative corporations you do the math
according to most Native American groups we are all illegals
Seriously? Referring to Illegals as “Immigrants” and “The Latino Community”?!? Realistically and Logically: would you think that; A: it wouldA: Help ILLEGALS or B: adversely effect Immigrants And Latinos?
All i’m saying is no one has a right to claim this land but Natives, otherwise you are illegal anyway or an invading immigrant.
Abel , then im talking to Mario and his drone buddies
Blah, blah, blah, illegals, blah, blah, socialism, blah, blah, worst ever, blah, blah, Fox, blah, blah, liberal, blah, blah, Christan, blah, blah, male conservative, blah, blah, racist, blah, blah, conservative, blah, blah, as a Cuban-American, blah, blah, blah, Marx, blah, blah, blah, [insert buzzword here], blah, blah, blah, another soundbite I heard on Conservative media, blah, blah, spending, blah, blah…..
4000 word essay that reads the same as the ones posted before…
Ha !
ROFLMAO —- Christopher, you really astound me at your ignorance about the US media. Mario was correct in his assessment of both the network, cable and print media being liberal. They are not conservative by any standard. The only news outlet that can be described as conservative is Fox News. Talk radio is a conservative dynamic because of the high volume of conservative listenership throughout the day and night. Then there is the internet which works well for both left and right. But going back to the MSM, it’s a liberal-minded field.
so let’s put it out and analyze it now shall we. Who owns these networks? My point is that each one of them is controlled by those with right wing interests. So what that means is that whoever owns them plays both sides of the fence, but still pursues their main interests, to appear as if tey cre for the people or are bipartisan. kinda like the Rothchilds in previous wars. We can break it down I have no problem with that.
Yes, Christopher you are wrong… Unless you say you are a Republican, then you are right…
Ha !
Here comes the next 4000 essay….
ABC -owned by Disney, NBC-owned by Comcast, CBS- owned by Viacom until recently merging into the CBS corporation (though their pres is still copres of viacom) , CNN-Turner Broadcasting System, Time Warner. You are going to try to convince me that these corporations are left leaning. THese parent companies are left leaning???
Should we explore this deeper? i’m down
The US liberal is imperialistic. Just like how 100-200 years ago, the center of the US was fine with committing a genocide against native people, the center of the US populace today is perfectly fine with US imperialism even as it strips resources and wealth from people in “Latin” American countries.
I mean, apparently even many of the US latino people in this community ignore US imperialistic history whether it’s installing puppet regimes, overthrowing democratically elected regimes or smuggling guns into norther Mexico and think that networks that support the left side of US imperialism are giving a reasonable criticism of the US government.
Because we might have some US left and some US right networks, but none of them are willing to really call us out for doing whatever we can to extend our power regardless of how it affects the local people in that region. So you won’t hear on US media about Newmont mining in Peru and the fight that local workers are having against this corporation.
And you won’t hear about what Coca Cola does in Columbia and India and you won’t hear about much about the court case that Monsanto is fighting in Brazil to try to prevent farmers from re-using seeds and you won’t hear about the drone strikes that the US is currently conducting under a “liberal” president.
So, I don’t care if the media is US left or US right. I care about how the US media ignores US imperialism in the name of each side of the very narrow US coin attacks each other’s very minor differences without giving a real view of US imperialism.
LOL someone say something about a Liberal BIAS?! You know Crack DOES still KILL!!!
Damn when did the Right Wing become Such a bunch of F!$%^#* WHINERS!!!! Liberal BIAS!?!?? you are out of your MIND!!!! You just upset because as much as you’ve Co-opted so much of the Media Through Conglomeration ; Mitt Romney is an unmitigated DISASTER!! As soon as there’s even a HIN that some media may actually be Covering some Truth about this Moron you whin about Bias..We’re not Perfect but guys i’m sorry the Gay OL’ Party is Completely off the rails!!
Christopher if ILLEGALS are now “IMMIGRANTS” then I’m a “Native American” because I was born Here…Does that make sense to you? Don’t sit there pretending you’re talking about immigrants and then dictate what anyone has a right to say about vocabulary…
Abel great point about Coca Cola in Colombia and Monsanto and their monopoly. Eric- i’m not really sure what you’re saying, all i’m saying is unless you can prove that your people were here before the imperialistic colonization of this continent started, then you essentially have no right to label another as an illegal. I don’t agree with the words illegals and immigrants being interchanged to mean the same thing either, but I also don’t really use the term illegals, I don’t think any human being is illegal.
One of the worst clichés of contemporary politics is, “The United States is a nation of immigrants, therefore we’re all immigrants” The notion that everyone, except for Native Americans, in the U.S. are immigrants is a false premise. I for one take offense to such a proposition. Let’s start with the definition of an immigrant… IMMIGRANT: Noun: A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country. I’m a 4th generation American, I was born and raised in the U.S. I am a citizen of the U.S and I am not an immigrant…not by a long shot. If we were to agree with the premise then the Indegenous peoples of the Americas would also be considered immigrants. Paleo-Indians were the first peoples who entered, and subsequently inhabited, the American continents during the final glacial episodes of the late Pleistoscene period. The specifics of Paleo-India migration to and throughout the Americas, including the exact dates and routes traveled, are subject to ongoing research and discussion. The traditional theory has been that these early migrants moved into the Beringia land bridge between eastern Siberia and present-day Alaska around 40,000 – 17,000 years ago. Prior to the migration of the Paleo-Indians there were no human inhabitants in the American Continents. The Indegenous people of the Americas are descendants of the first immigrants who migrated to the American continents. Therefore, “Native”-Americans and “Indegenous” people of the Americas are neither “Native” or “Indegenous” to the American Continent.
Commentators have described MSNBC as having a bias towards left-leaning politics and the Democratic Party. In November 2007, a New York Times article stated that MSNBC’s prime-time lineup is tilting more to the left. Washington Post media analyst Howard Kurtz has stated that the channel’s evening lineup “has clearly gravitated to the left in recent years and often seems to regard itself as the antithesis of Fox News” (in reference to a number of journalists and political pundits considering Fox News to have a conservative bias in some programs). In 2011, Salon.com noted that “MSNBC’s prime-time lineup is now awash in progressive politics.” That same year, Politico referred to MSNBC as “left-leaning.”
A study done by the Project for Excellence in Journalism showed that MSNBC had less negative coverage of Obama (14% of stories vs. 29% in the press overall) and more negative stories about Republican presidential candidate John McCain (73% of its coverage vs. 57% in the press overall). MSNBC’s on-air slogan during the week of the 2008 presidential election, “The Power of Change”, was criticized as being overtly similar to Obama’s campaign slogan of “Hope and Change.” Following the 2008 presidential election, conservative talk-show host, John Ziegler worked on a documentary called Media Malpractice…. How Obama Got Elected, which was very critical of the media, especially MSNBC’s role, in the 2008 Presidential Election.
There’s always been a liberal bias in the mainstream media. That’s why Fox News takes the brunt of the criticism, because they take a different point of view from the rest of the mainstream media. Some conservatives do not consider Fox News to be “mainstream media”, because they frequently present a different, often more fair and balanced viewpoint than the above news outlets. One example given is that in 2007, the Democratic presidential candidates declared that they would not appear on presidential debates hosted by Fox News, but they did appear on other mainstream media news outlets.
Let’s not confuse the ownership of these media outlets with the message they present. It’s silly to think that the “right wing conservative corporations” who own NBC would then go out of their way to create NBC Latino.com… pro-Democrat… pro-Illegal immigration… etc.