The Truth Perspective: Propaganda & cognitive bias - The battle for your mind Sott.net Sat, 10 Oct 2015 18:00 UTC
Sott.net Sat, 10 Oct 2015 18:00 UTC
"No matter how unpleasant and unexpected for our colleagues in the Pentagon and Langley was yesterday's high-precision strike on Islamic State infrastructure in Syria, the fact remains that all missiles launched from our ships have found their targets."
"Did you know that this is national newspaper week? We're fairly sure you didn't and it's safe that you don't especially care either. After all, this week is devoted to something. For national newspaper week however we hope that you will take a few minutes to think about the impact newspapers have on your life. And what life would be without information and the perspective they provide. The newspaper is your only source of local news especially in a small town. You aren't going to get your news by watching TV stations. Collecting and reporting news that shapes your daily lives, that's the business we're in." - the 'business' - "The phrase 'the power of the press' sounds pretty ominous but that power is working for you, the community. Your elected officials and other public servants work for you. And it's one of our jobs to see that they are sound stewards of your tax dollars and the authority you have given them. They say knowledge is power and that's what you community newspaper delivers. That knowledge may be about dreadful crimes or road projects that will effect your commute, or the latest heroics of the high school football team or a neighbour whose story is more fascinating than you can ever imagine." "No one else is able to tell those stories and bring them to your doorstep. The demise of the newspaper is widely reported in today's culture. We're all digitally drive these days and many people rely on their computers or their phones to keep up to date with what's going on in their home town. The power of the press feels diluted these days because it's spread across many channels. But here's the thing, the demand and the hunger for information has never been greater. The paper and ink product you hold in your hands now is still the most powerful tool for informing the public, sharing important information and every now and then, changing the community or the world. And there's so much more trash to sift through today, anyone with a computer and internet connection can push 'news' out there to the whole world all day long. We firmly believe that the professional dedicated journalists and the product they deliver are more essential today than ever before." "Despite the proliferation of news content today, keep in mind that behind every piece of legitimate news is a journalist who checked and doubled checked the facts developed an understanding of the issues and wrote it with you, the reader, in mind. A free and objective press remains the cornerstone of any free society and it's never been needed more. But the true power lies with you, the reader. We in the press are obligated and honoured to wield this on your behalf."