Suppression in the media

The media and press have always been under pressure from the government to promote the content that it sees fit. Today, we see this with the Ukraine-Russia War and the Nord Stream gas pipeline's explosion. 

The government pushes the narrative that it was Russia, but there is evidence that the U.S. may have had a hand in it. If the U.S. government wants something to look a certain way, then by golly that is how it is going to be. 

Unless, journalists do their job.

A historical example of pressure and suppression of the media was portrayed in the "Good Night, and Good Luck" move. The movie was made in 2005, edited into black and white, and had numerous A-list actors. 

It showed the fallout of McCarthyism thanks to CBS journalists. 

The movie tells the story of how early television broadcaster and journalist Edward Murrow exposed Senator Joseph McCarthy in 1954 on his television show "See It Now". This was tough for Murrow to accomplish because all the news outlets were pushing McCarthy's and the U.S. government's rhetoric leading to a sort of media blackout on truth about communism's influence in America.

While exposing McCarthy and the U.S. government, Murrow received pushback from both the government and his own superiors at CBS.

Some of this pushback from the government included using the chilling effect and stonewalling. 

Stonewalling was present when the government refused to comment or answer questions of Murrow's when he was digging for information on the dishonorably discharged soldier. 

The government then took it a step further and tried to intimidate Murrow by using the chilling effect by having two soldiers threatening him to not broadcast the story. 

But Murrow still decided to publish the truth. He knew the proper roles of the media when it comes to its governmental interactions. He knew the press should be an independent entity that acts as a watchdog. The media should be a sort of check and balance on the government just like each branch has on the others.

He showed that McCarthy's efforts to stoke fear into American hearts about the presence of Soviet spies and communism in America was fake and inaccurate during the episode titled "Report on Senator Joseph R. McCarthy."

Murrow was successful during his time, but who will step up now? We are still struggling with these issues. 

A media blackout is occurring when it comes to reporting on the non-Ukrainian side of the Russia-Ukraine War and specifically the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosion. This is because even though some reporters have written about U.S. involvement, the major media networks stay silent. 

An example of stonewalling in current times is when Iowa moved the press from the floor of its state senate to the upper gallery. This makes it difficult to consult with legislators like they used to, which prohibits their ability to tell the accurate truth and news. 

Also, there is still a chance of chilling effects on reporters. Just ask Judith Miller. The government threatened and punished her for not giving up a source and their conversations together. The government will sometimes do this like a warning shot across the bow (while not initiating prior restraint because the courts look down upon that), but they could use subsequent punishments. 

This is not to mention the influence peddling that we never hear about. This is when there is a quid pro quo agreement between a reporter and usually the government, but could be any source. The interaction would go along the lines of "if you do not publish this story then I will give you an exclusive interview on something else."

Whether you are evaluating McCarthyism, the Russia-Ukraine conflict or even the motivation behind the Iraq War, the movie "Good Night, and Good Luck" perfectly illustrates the impact and influence that the U.S. government used and still attempts to assert over the media. 

But how?

Much of government influence or oversight occurs through social media. This is why I would call today the "connectivity era" because there are so many new ways to stay connected and influence others or be influenced. 

For example, I have somewhere around 13 different ways that I stay connected with society though either social media, email or regular calling/texting. This is the same for many people in the United States as 72% of Americans have a social media account. 

And with new media technologies, it is much easier for the government to disseminate information and sway public opinion as it is a much more centralized medium and way to reach people.