Can we see y2k thru the presses eye?

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This question is sort of a spin-off question from the earlier "Can we see y2k thru the Feds eyes?". I like to get some input as to why the overall press has been so hush-hush on y2k? Especially since this story has all the makings of an ideal story. Yes, I know some papers have covered y2k in occasional stories, but mostly having a positive spin. I find it interesting that newspaper and tv news coverage has been very anemic. Any opinions as to why? Also it seems like all newspaper & news coverage has been lacking accross the board, with all outlets not reporting, not just a few doings so which leads one to think that they were told to keep things low key or else. Opinions?

-- Richard (trubeliever@webtv.net), September 06, 1999

Answers

The press were told to shut up and avoid a panic. Even us doomser's know that a premature panic serves no good for anyone, including us. Can you imagine what would happen instantaneously if Clinton came on TV and said to the nation, "Folks, we are screwed!" The government's plan does not allow for the panic to happen until after Christmas. They are still putting the personell, the supplies, and all pertinent stuff into place. This weeks 9-9-99 drill is their last rehearsal. After this week, they go live at their command and control centers.

-- vern (bacon17@ibm.net), September 06, 1999.

The Media is owned by the elite wealthy eastern establishment. They tell the media what they can say and what they cannot say!!! The wealthy want business as usual until the very end!

-- freddie (freddie@thefreeloader.com), September 06, 1999.

No matter what box we live in it is always important to crawl out and take a gander from another perspective--what ifs get the mind going. I'd like to see what others have to say here.

-- John Q (balance@mind.net), September 06, 1999.

This July 13 Computerworld article explains it to my satisfaction Richard...

Computerworld article

-- CD (not@here.com), September 06, 1999.


The press isn't covering Y2K because nothing much has happened that is especially newsworthy. A story that won't happen for another nearly 4 months is not a story at this point. The media only deals with events that occur, not ones that might or may or even probably will occur.

There's no conspiracy to it. It's just the simple fact above.

-- cody (cody@y2ksurvive.com), September 06, 1999.



Our city has been holding (and televising) y2k meetings. The last meeting had the press answering questions. According to them, they are trained to deal in facts and so far most is speculation. They are planning coverage beginning sometime in October. Btw, they admitted to reading a lot of the y2k forums and felt the posts were "fascinating". :))

-- Lynn Ratcliffe (mcgrew@ntr.net), September 06, 1999.

THE MEDIA is a business, pure and simple. Everyone likes to believe that they're supposed to be the fountain of truth, from which we drink, but when it comes right down to it, they're no different than the guy you bought your last used car from.

THE MEDIA sells information. They get a higher price for their product, if the story is "hot". Speculation stories make nice filler, but the thermal index rarely rises above room temperature, unless the time when a speculated event will happen, is close at hand.

There is also the consideration of "leg time", that is, the time that a story will continue to be of interest to people who feel they are not directly impacted. For people who disbelieve the potential for Y2K related problems, and for people who feel that the problem doesn't affect them, because they don't own a computer, the "leg time" would have rather short, had Y2K coverage began earlier in the year. As the end of the year draws near, even skeptics will be experiencing little twinges of doubt, and will much more likely tune in to get daily updates. The more people watching, the more they can charge for sponsor time.

It seems to me that the coverage is beginning to increase, even if a lot of it is rather fascile (Such as the MSNBC story about people swarming to Israel to be there, when the second coming occurs). I'd look for the coverage to kick into high gear by mid-October.

Politics are just so much "bread and circuses". The real issue is money.

-- Bokonon (bok0non@my-Deja.com), September 07, 1999.


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