Research Paper on:
Commercial Interest Influence and the Media

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
major media outlets in the United States trickle down to a few major players, and what they control is staggering. Therefore, not only do the powerful few control what the  country watches and what sorts of news is reported, but they, in essence shape and mold the culture and values of that culture. This is a frightening concept when one  considers that popular entertainment is rife with superficiality, obscenity and violence. It goes without saying that most Americans feel that the Media is out of control in this country.  When one stops to consider who is pulling the strings for most of the industries in the nation, then it reduced to a pitiful handful who are calling the shots  and in essence determining social policies, and indirectly (and sometimes directly) federal policies. Think this couldnt be possible? Think again. Ben Bagdkian, in his book, The Media Monopoly, speaks about  the media conglomerates in the United States. He says that "Aided by the digital revolution and the acquisition of subsidiaries that operate at every step in the mass communications process,  from the creation of content to its delivery into the home, the communications cartel has exercised stunning influence over national legislation and government agencies, an influence whose scope and power  would have been considered scandalous or illegal twenty years ago"(Bagdikian, 2000). What is this influence he refers to? Simple, follow the trail. Check out any major news service in the  country. Who are they owned by? Large industries who have nothing in common with the news or entertainment industry. So why own a newspaper company, radio station or television station  (and most of them own all three types)? Control of the types of perspectives that are allowed into the cultures mainstream. They manipulate this so that their products are positioned