The World's Media: Influencing the Masses

Because the news has varying affects on the public, mass media outlets utilize it to sway opinions concerning many issues. Depending on the source, this manipulation can be intentional or unintentional. Nonetheless, despite any intentions, public awareness is shaped through the rhetoric provided by the media. In analyzing The Wall Street Journal by comparison, I have found that the writers and editors use rhetoric from a conservative standpoint to inform the masses and influence public opinions.

Easily enough, this power is displayed through the stance of the writers and the news coverage they provide. For instance, when comparing The Wall Street Journal to a liberal media outlet such as CNN, one might note that CNN reports on very negative topics such as death tolls and violence. On the other hand, not once did the Wall Street Journal negatively report on the Iraq War with opposition during the few days I conducted my analysis. This demonstrates a use of rhetoric as they appeal to conservative readers and capitalists by ignoring and evading the negative effects and outcomes of war.

Furthermore, bias is also displayed in the everyday ordering and presentation of the genres existing throughout the paper. For example, the general news is printed on the front page while the personal journal is the last category. In between, the categories entitled "Money and Investing" and "Marketplace" are filled with several articles reporting on businesses and profitability. I have examined these sections carefully and formed an opinion on each that displays the staff's use of rhetoric.

The front page seems to focus mainly on the political issues whether they are domestic, international, or business related. Also, a few columns give a brief look at what else in the paper to spark your interest and implore you to open page after page. In my opinion, this category simply reports on conservative friendly issues and puts a positive spin on any negative issues.

Next, the middle categories focus on business issues that appeal to conservatives whom stereotypically indulge in capitalist activity. For instance, several articles in the Marketplace section discuss any issues that might hinder business or business relations. A significant one discusses ongoing controversy surrounding illegal workers and a new way they will be sought out and regulated. Additionally, "Money and Investing" discusses profitability and reports share values on a daily basis. As stated before, conservatives are stereotypically capitalists and therefore are enticed by such a section.

Lastly, the "Personal Journal" appears in the print. This section gives a more personal feel to the newspaper as it discusses issues that might directly affect you, the reader. For instance, a story on H & R Block being sued over fee disclosure headlines the front page of the March 16^th issue. This article relates to the reader as they may have been the victim. Next, an article on mileage friendly tires lures you in to read further about a topic that could benefit you and your finances.

Now that all the categories have been examined, one might notice that this newspaper believes people, or just its readers, are selfish capitalists that are only interested in news that might affect them. This clearly shows that they want to maintain that mentality because they fail to report on any violence or lost children. By avoiding topics, they are discontinuing our awareness of them and centering our awareness on business deals, selfish profitability, and personal gain. How can we have expectations of an ethical, well-rounded society with this type of rhetoric?

The answer is "the Internet." On the internet, you have access to all sorts of mediums that report on various news stories. Unlike a newspaper, you can conduct a wide search for topics that you want to read about on the internet and compare the coverage. This rounds out the informing process and creates an adequately aware society. The only negative aspect I can see is credibility and that is easily solved by cross-referencing the articles or simply choosing credible sources. Because of choice, the internet is the better newspaper.