Man I had such a great rebuttal typed up... and %$#*ing Explorer crashes on me. It was long and detailed and had several examples of subtle media control. Let me just say that the media is controlled through the corporate enterprises that run them and that the government is owned by these same corporate enterprises. It is a matter of you wash my back and I'll wash yours. The tradeoffs come in the form of tax breaks ($136 billion this week alone) and failure to enforce guidelines on the corporations (see Sinclair), in return for the promotion of the "positive" message when they want it. People down here don't even recognize it for the most part. The funny part is that when you bring it up they will even defend it believing that it is part of the game.
Here's a very quick example of supressing a message. Green Day has a new album out, and it is likely the best of their career. Its a concept album has a distinct message behind it. Its anti-war. This album has been very hard to find from the large chains (Walmart, Target, etc.) and "shortages" have been a problem according to managers (not so according to the specialty stores). The single is one of the top three requested of the stations I listen to, yet the song doesn't make the regualr rotation. Finally the truth came out when the morning drive guys (top rated in the market) were discussing a request for the song and they stated it doesn't fit with the "positive message" the station is trying to promote. Right. They play Slipnot, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie and Nine Inch Nails, but are worried about the message they are promoting? Clear Channel strikes again (the same Clear Channel that brought you Howard Stern and Bubba the Love Sponge). Its subtle, but it contributes. Having said that, here's American Idiot.
Don't wanna be an American idiot.
Don't want a nation under the new mania.
And can you hear the sound of hysteria?
The subliminal mind"boink" America.
Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alienation.
Everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue.
Well maybe I'm the "limp wristed winnie" America.
I'm not a part of a redneck agenda.
Now everybody do the propaganda.
And sing along in the age of paranoia.
Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alienation.
Everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue.
Don't wanna be an American idiot.
One nation controlled by the media.
Information age of hysteria.
It's calling out to idiot America.
Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alienation.
Everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue.
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