Mass Media for the Few
In his work, Michael Parenti considered the way media presents information under the influences of corporations. The professional underlined that in the framework of a capitalist “democracy,” the dominant class ideology both in their reportage is mainly described in the news. He explains it by the fact that corporate news media usually have the same views as their owners. Thus, the opportunity to influence the information revealed by media and perceived by the general public was received as currently, corporations have an opportunity to “own up to six radio and two television stations in any one area” (Parenti 163).
Corporations exercise their power over the media in different ways, for example, with the help of corporate advertisers and sponsors. In the case of CBS Frank Stanton, a consumer reporter was not allowed to perform because of the advisers’ complaints. Another advertising account was canceled as the former producer left a “liberal” drift, claiming that the new ones can hardly cope with their duties. In the same framework, the advertisement critical of Samuel Alito and a Democratic candidate’s ad was not aired because they were considered to be disrespectful by the corporations (Parenti 164).
In order to consolidate their control over the information that is provided to the representatives of the general public, corporations also started to influence the context of the advertisements. They abuse their powers and try to make the journalists discuss things and events in the way they want. For example, Fox television tried to reveal a positive report about bovine growth hormone usage, which led to the trial, and New York Times editor never received a new assignment after he made a true report on the nuclear power plant (Parenti 165).
President of Capitalism
Parenti emphasizes that corporations turned into the main political donors, and presidents tend to rely on their advice when dealing with specific issues. He argues that the president of the USA is made “a promoter and guardian of corporate capitalism” in this way, as one is targeted at the expansion of the country’s global interests (215). As democracy spreads, the USA follows the areas full of resources one by one, trying to turn them into the states where people are willing to get more freedom and ready to pay for it with their votes.
In this way, the general public seems to obtain control over its future. The country pays much attention to the cooperation of the leader. Taking it into account, it can either promote such leadership or disregard it, putting emphasis on democracy. For example, such events happened to Saddam Hussein, who was promoted and then ousted (Parenti 149). In the framework of foreign affairs, such actions can cause wars, unnecessary destruction, and death of civilians, which results in contracts awarded to corporations that deal with military bases, logistical support, rebuilding and reconstruction of housing, etc.
Personally, I totally support Parenti’s view. For example, when the war with Iraq started and the rumor of it having nuclear weapons spread, the real situation was not taken into consideration. People followed the government as they believed it, but now numerous veterans live with injuries and fail to receive required and promised medical care. Rather often, CEOs and executives are turned into politicians, which provides them with the opportunity to alter regulations and give more profit to corporations. For example, is Vice President Dick Cheney awarded several contracts to the company where he used to be CEO, which allowed the company to increase profits greatly (Parenti 226).
Congress and Corporate Lobbyists
The government of the USA pays much attention to environmental issues and designs various policies, trying to prevent and solve them. In this framework, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was created. Its implementation is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that cooperates with numerous private organizations with the attempt to protect the environment. EPA has much influence on various industries.
For example, it made the automotive and petroleum industries cooperate and share their research information to create clean fuels (“Private-Sector and Private-Public Partnership” 66). Such intentions are mainly perceived by the representatives of the general public as positive ones, as they are likely to improve the condition of the environment and enhance the quality of life in this way, making it safer. However, ordinary people do not really receive any advantage.
For example, diesel and hybrid entered the market as those that are environmentally friendly. Such positioning encourages people to buy them. Still, the price of such cars is higher, so the majority of individuals are not able to afford them. In this way, they are made for the population with high income. In this way, ordinary citizens fail to benefit from new technologies even though the money they spent on taxes was used for their development.
However, particular companies at the same time increase their income and establish the brand. For instance, producing such kinds of cars in the USA, Chevrolet improved its performance. Such events are encouraged by Congress and the President, as they promote the alternative fuel tax credit, making the price for diesel and gas decrease (Johnston and Kritzer para. 1). In this way, they tend to support and represent the interests of the wealthy “few” instead of American citizens.
Works Cited
Johnston, Jason, and Tony Kritzer. Clean Energy Welcomes Passage of Alternative Fuel Tax Credit by Congress. 2015. Web.
Parenti, Michael. Democracy for the Few. Boston: Thomson Wadsworth, 2011. Print.