Reading about the conditions of working in Cognizant's moderation facility reminds me staunchly of Winston's job in 1984 of moderating physical content -- no phones or scrap paper allowed, nothing that isn't visible through a clear bag. The job is quite dystopian in nature. #so315

I think one of Jensen's most relevant points was on the use of "official" sources by journalists. The normative and encouraged expectation for journalists to report on the basis of elite sources (usually the gov. and corporations) exemplifies how the status quo is ultimately always perpetuated by most mainstream news sources, whether they critique systems or not. There is no "free press" when agendas have already been set by those in power and are then simply distributed by news media. #so315

The part in the chapter that highlighted how data analytics are an increasingly important factor in news work got me thinking about the vital role of the "audience" in content production and distribution. While we may have our gripes with certain functions of gatekeeping, it is people like ourselves who decide what to produce at least in part based on what we as consumers want to see. What does the role of data look like as the presence of fake, A.I.-ran accounts permeate the internet? #so315

I thought about how the proverbial slogan of right-wing media is "Truth" (to the extent of the conservative social media platform, Truth Social) -- they constantly reinforce that what they're sharing is the absolute truth, as if everything else is coercive or plain falsehoods. I think this plays to many Americans' need to be informed/aware, as well as their possible fatigue in the stratification of news media. #so315

I appreciated how the podcast highlighted the importance of professional journalism in political news media. Without essential bias training, media literacy, etc. journalists obtain from their training, media personalities with far, relatable reach (like Joe Rogan) are able to shape narratives and spread rhetoric according to their own agenda/interests. #so315

The Current Affairs article brought to light how right-wing media is more often free, quippy, and easy to digest, while left-wing media is more often behind paywalls and takes time and thought to process. This makes me think about the intensification of the right-wing movement -- conservative media has a way of capturing and maintaining attention in easily digestible and relatable ways that leftist media often falls behind on. #so315

I find it interesting that most age groups trust local news organizations the most across several of the surveys. It makes me think about the psychological tendencies that allow us to favor/be more trusting of sources similar to us, whether that's by geographic location, age group, or other aspects of our identity -- which can be a similar explanation to why young adults primarily consume news through social media. It's what's familiar/reflective of us, so we trust it more! #so315

I found it interesting how the American needs of public communication shift throughout sociopolitical events (i.e. pushes for expansion post-Revolution to repression following WWI). It makes me think of how conversations surrounding net neutrality, removal of controversial books from public libraries, and bans for apps like TikTok increased in the last decade, parallel to increased (and increased awareness of) global political, social, and economic strife (i.e. COVID, recessions, wars). #so315

I think the concepts of polysemy and the minimal effects tradition are important in analyzing media today, especially in the context of the age of A.I. and political strife. We've always constructed meaning out of media in highly subjective contexts, but with increased A.I produced media and heavy political tension, the fear what we're consuming isn't even real will only amplify media's polarizing qualities. #so315

Many musicians, filmmakers, and other artists have expressed how media executives' priority of mass exposure and likeness has stifled their creative output, and therefore their individual artistry, reflective of Adorno's idea of "culture industry" and the hegemony of media. #so315