Belgium

[pErvinalia]

Yeah, the opinion thing really riles me. Most of the media no longer challenge accepted narratives (like neoliberalism). They are just another part of an elite system.

[JimC]

I agree (even though I said "our democracy") but we need a robust and rigorous press for a proper functioning democracy.

The media is a pathetic reflection of society at large. It is soft-focused, falsely reassuring, simpering, constantly trying to paint a picture with a million words. It's full of bland cunts who have spent three years churning out journo-marketing assignments to get on a right-thinking minds treadmill. This self-perpetuating school of pissantery now sets the agenda more than any political group. They crush democracy if it doesn't follow their train of thought. "Reporting" is skewered with opinion, often in laughably subtle ways (see how a BBC newsreader will open her hands and gently shake her head from side to side in mild disbelief while reporting on something like opposition to gay marriage or some other controversial issue).

This is overly pessimistic and painting with a very broad brush, even if there is some truth, particularly in terms of mass media outlets controlled by the likes of Murdoch. But there is still valuable journalism happening, and in many places in the world, brave journalists are risking there lives to bring to the public versions of the truth which differ from the official line.
In the west, at least we have a reasonable diversity of media outlets available, and if you want make the effort to be a discerning and critical consumer of the news, you can...

[pErvinalia]

We've got pretty pathetic media. ABC news is hopeless, and they are only redeemed by some of their specialty shows like Four Corners, Foreign Correspondent and Insiders etc (although, all these shows face ongoing funding cuts). SBS news is better, but their specialty show - Dateline - has been defunded to the point of being useless. The commercial media is utterly devoid of real journalism.

One great thing about the internet is that we can get news from all sorts of independent outlets. But like the tele, you have to wade through heaps of crap to find it.

[devogue]

I agree (even though I said "our democracy") but we need a robust and rigorous press for a proper functioning democracy.

The media is a pathetic reflection of society at large. It is soft-focused, falsely reassuring, simpering, constantly trying to paint a picture with a million words. It's full of bland cunts who have spent three years churning out journo-marketing assignments to get on a right-thinking minds treadmill. This self-perpetuating school of pissantery now sets the agenda more than any political group. They crush democracy if it doesn't follow their train of thought. "Reporting" is skewered with opinion, often in laughably subtle ways (see how a BBC newsreader will open her hands and gently shake her head from side to side in mild disbelief while reporting on something like opposition to gay marriage or some other controversial issue).

This is overly pessimistic and painting with a very broad brush, even if there is some truth, particularly in terms of mass media outlets controlled by the likes of Murdoch. But there is still valuable journalism happening, and in many places in the world, brave journalists are risking there lives to bring to the public versions of the truth which differ from the official line.
In the west, at least we have a reasonable diversity of media outlets available, and if you want make the effort to be a discerning and critical consumer of the news, you can...

I have to disagree. The great standard bearer of the left has always been the Guardian (formerly the Manchester Guardian).

However, it is currently pro-Clinton and anti-Sanders, and it's very anti- Corbyn in the UK. It is now a mouthpiece for the establishment left, and pretty ruthless and blatant at that (also see their Scottish independence stance).

The mainstream media is pro-establishment. The only relatively famous UK based (for instance) publication that is impartial, investigative and has integrity is Private Eye. It's s ridiculous and dangerous situation.

[pErvinalia]

Guardian online has gone almost clickbait. It's a really sad state of affairs.

[Brian Peacock]

The media themselves love it, though. By that I mean the journalists and producers. They can't get enough of this shit.

Sure, because journalists today are shit, and a story like this can fill hours of time easily, with sensational images to get viewers and ratings.

Yeah, and the news networks make us watch all that shit as well.

Really, focusing on the coverage is focusing on the wrong issue.

[pErvinalia]

No it's not, that's the point. Deaths from terrorism in the west are minute compared to other ways of dying. The coverage is way out of proportion.

[pErvinalia]

The news and gov are yapping on here now about increased police presence at airports. Got me thinking. Why bomb an airport, given all the security there? Why not just bomb a big shopping plaza?

[NineBerry]

Why bomb implements of mass transport like airports and metro stations / trains?

Some ideas:

• Tradition. i.e. "That's how we have always done it"
• Especially with airports people from a lot of different countries are among the victims. Hitting many nations at the same time.
• Traffic is heavily affected. Air traffic and local metro traffic comes to a halt -> Many more people affected than just the people near the area at the time of the attack.
• Using mass transportation is something that nearly everybody cannot evade. -> Increased insecurity among more people. Bomb a concert -> People that don't go to concert are not affected. But who doesn't use public transport or air travel from time to time, if not even daily?

[pErvinalia]

Me. But I go to the shops a couple of times a week.

[Rum]

If the terrorists were more truly random and derailed a few trains here and there, planted bombs in a few small towns and villages I suspect the rubbernecking and grazing Dev refers to would stop pretty quickly. We almost take the risks for granted now. When I go t London, as I do fairly frequently I am much more alert than I used to be. And like it or not anyone on the tube who is middle eastern looking, male and under 40 gets wary looks.

[Brian Peacock]

If the terrorists were more truly random and derailed a few trains here and there, planted bombs in a few small towns and villages I suspect the rubbernecking and grazing Dev refers to would stop pretty quickly. We almost take the risks for granted now. When I go t London, as I do fairly frequently I am much more alert than I used to be. And like it or not anyone on the tube who is middle eastern looking, male and under 40 gets wary looks.

You and I are old enough to remember the sustained IRA bombing campaign through the 1970s and 80s and into the early 90s. We've been on 'high alert' most of our adult lives one way or another.

[Rum]

If the terrorists were more truly random and derailed a few trains here and there, planted bombs in a few small towns and villages I suspect the rubbernecking and grazing Dev refers to would stop pretty quickly. We almost take the risks for granted now. When I go t London, as I do fairly frequently I am much more alert than I used to be. And like it or not anyone on the tube who is middle eastern looking, male and under 40 gets wary looks.

You and I are old enough to remember the sustained IRA bombing campaign through the 1970s and 80s and into the early 90s. We've been on 'high alert' most of our adult lives one way or another.

That's very true, but those were friendly terrorists right?

[JimC]

If the terrorists were more truly random and derailed a few trains here and there, planted bombs in a few small towns and villages I suspect the rubbernecking and grazing Dev refers to would stop pretty quickly. We almost take the risks for granted now. When I go t London, as I do fairly frequently I am much more alert than I used to be. And like it or not anyone on the tube who is middle eastern looking, male and under 40 gets wary looks.

You and I are old enough to remember the sustained IRA bombing campaign through the 1970s and 80s and into the early 90s. We've been on 'high alert' most of our adult lives one way or another.

That's very true, but those were friendly terrorists right?

At least they were white!

[piscator]

I was wondering how long it would take for Muslims to start bombing security lines at airports. Such a juicy soft target...