Part Two: Media Control
July 21st 2008 03:49
Moving down the highway
We will begin by discussing the print media.
Almost every day, online reporters tout the financial difficulties many newspapers and magazines in the U.S. are currently experiencing. Subscriptions are down and advertising revenues are down. Larger newspapers are buying out smaller ones in an effort to consolidate the media. Necessity demands they centralize the presses, newsprint and ink costs, and optimize delivery capabilities. Large city newspapers are laying off workers. In many cases, they are saving costs by using new fonts and smaller newsprint layouts. Some newspapers are declaring bankruptcy or just plain shutting down.
For over twenty years I was a typographer and editor in the graphic arts industry. We published not only commercial printing but also newspapers and magazines. Occasionally, the workload would become so intense we needed to hire temporary workers from the surrounding Jacksonville, Florida area.
All news media exist to sell advertising! Copy text is used to fill space -- either time or paper. Whether by computer or by hand, in the newspaper and magazine realm, writers, editors, compositors and/or paste up workers lay down the advertisements first, then wrap the remaining space with text.
As you know, photographers take as many pictures, from as many angles as time and opportunity afford. They can give the media a virtual cornucopia of choices from which to choose. The temps. always bragged about how they chose the worst pictures for their personally disliked politician or celebrity, and vice versa. I can remember paying close attention to President Richard Nixon's profiles during the Watergate days. Almost always the worst possible visual depiction was heralded. Later, when President Carter fell out of favor due to the Iranian Hostage situation or the worsening economy, he and his wife both had horrible pictures published.
Editors and composition personnel love to choose pictures wherein the mouth is distorted during a speech. Glaring or tearing eyes are especially compelling. Furled eyebrows are popular to show distaste. There are no limits here. The editorialization can run from distorted faces, falls, or gaffs to removing nose mucosa by any celebrity who falls into disfavor by the editors.
Sometimes the buyers would editorialize in spite of our best intentions. I recall when a minister, with a mission in Haiti, had us publish a semi-annual brochure for him each year. In every edition, he would fill the last page with a photo collage of economically-poor converts. Each time he laid out the pictures, children's private parts were conspicously displayed. After he would leave, I would rearrange the photos so that their personal dignity was not compromised. I also could not image people sitting in pews enjoying the site with their children beside them.
On no less than two occasions, he saw the replacements and would walk over to the art table and reposition the photos once more as before. Perhaps he thought the good church people would give more if they thought all the children never wore clothing. I do not know his reasoning.
It is human nature for all of us to want our personal views accepted, whether religiously, socially or politically. But, for those who position themselves as presenting objective truth -- whether that be current or historical events or statements to the public, should know that we expect a straight-forward, unbiased delivery. Anything less is, once again, disrespectul.
Respect. This is that for which all of us yearn. Just don't expect it from the current system. If you do, or if you believe in it, you are already in a weakened position and can be controlled all the easier.
Watch out for not only the photographic editorialization, but the content as well. Sometimes it is easier to recognize material bias, but visual bias via art can be much more hidden and elusive.
The next installment will be more on this with special attention to the television news media.
Keep between the lines.
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Comment by TimmyH
Tech News
Can you HACK it?
Genyration
I thought it deserved more votes personally.
Tim
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Enjoy your day.
Edward