What are the media’s moral obligations in making society aware of extreme poverty in the world?

[Elizabeth502]

But as Elizabeth502 has so thoroughly pointed out with a plethora of links, you’d have to be living in a cave somewhere not to be at least somewhat aware of the extreme poverty that exists in the world. No. I believe Elizabeth is spot-on. Maybe many people are very much aware of this, but choose to ignore it out of hardness of heart. Did you ever think of that? And if true, not you or me, Elizabeth502 or the media can do a thing about it until these people have a sincere and radical change of heart. We live in a world where life itself has been so cheapened through abortion, euthanasia, placing low value on the elderly…you name it. Is it really that shocking then that many would choose to ignore the plight of the less fortunate? I don’t think so. Just maybe, the media has helped play a role in this hardening of hearts, since the “culture of death” and the media appear to be in lock-step with one another.

Peace, Mark

Also, as ex-MSNBC commentators Keith Olbermann and Dylan Ratigan used to point out, the mainstream media is in bed with Wall Street and its global moneymakers. The Leftist media may have a moral compulsion, due to their liberal zeitgeist, in exposing Third World poverty (which is where I obviously learned about it, not through some obscure search engine), but the MSM is at best ambivalent about any radical reform of an international monetary system and interconnected monetary interests which contributes to extremes in comfort vs. discomfort in standards of living. In fact, the MSM tired of the constant call-to-conscience messages of Messieurs Olbermann & Ratigan, which is probably one reason they are there no longer.

Nevertheless, as those who have studied this problem for a long time have explained, the problem with alleviation of poverty outside of the U.S. (which is, overall, where it is most severe) resides in political dynamics, over which those outside those countries have little control.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Repost:

government and corporations need to invest in people throughout the world, by educating them. It’s an investment that will pay great dividends a little on down the road. Exactly how to implement this initial investment, i honestly do not know, but the entire world stands to gain through a super-strong economy and a standard of living increase like that never before seen; new high-tech products, mass production increases and scientific endeavors. With a little ingenuity and planning, it’s all possible!

Until there is a push through the media, we will continue to turn a blind eye to the problem and little will change. We’re talking about crimes against humanity here!

 

[Mark121359]

Also, as ex-MSNBC commentators Keith Olbermann and Dylan Ratigan used to point out, the mainstream media is in bed with Wall Street and its global moneymakers. The Leftist media may have a moral compulsion, due to their liberal zeitgeist, in exposing Third World poverty (which is where I obviously learned about it, not through some obscure search engine), but the MSM is at best ambivalent about any radical reform of an international monetary system and interconnected monetary interests which contributes to extremes in comfort vs. discomfort in standards of living. In fact, the MSM tired of the constant call-to-conscience messages of Messieurs Olbermann & Ratigan, which is probably one reason they are there no longer.

Nevertheless, as those who have studied this problem for a long time have explained, the problem with alleviation of poverty outside of the U.S. (which is, overall, where it is most severe) resides in political dynamics, over which those outside those countries have little control.

And you have accurately portrayed the truth here. And I agree with you 110 %. Not only with this post…but the entire thread as well.

Peace, Mark

 

[gracepoole]

Those who have studied the problem also know that it’s possible to save the life of, say, a child living in poverty today. And without our assistance, she will die. I don’t begrudge anyone here who believes substantial, systemic changes need to take place to solve the poverty crisis. But maybe the media should be reminding us that if we passed on a brand new TV and instead sent $200 to a reputable overseas aid organization, like OxFam, a child’s life could be saved.

I’m guessing that’ll never happen for multiple reasons.

 

[St_Francis]

Repost:

Until there is a push through the media, we will continue to turn a blind eye to the problem and little will change. We’re talking about crimes against humanity here!

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

 

[Robert_Sock]

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

God, grant me the grace not to turn a blind eye towards these crimes against humanity!

 

[migueltojose]

God, grant me the grace not to turn a blind eye towards these crimes against humanity!

News has become (was it always?) a business. Driven by supply and demand. If the demand for more news about poverty was there, the supply would be there. The news is a reflection of what we want. We should change what we watch, read, buy etc., en masse, to make changes to what is supplied.

They are in competition with one another for viewers, readers, internet hits, etc.

It applies to a lot more than just news. All media. Clothes. Food. Housing. Transportation.

Change the demand, change the supply.

That’s at the root of my signature.

 

[St_Francis]

God, grant me the grace not to turn a blind eye towards these crimes against humanity!

Did anyone ask you to do that? No.

What I am saying is that there is *effective *action, and there is *ineffective *action. The prayer reminds us to act prudently, to do what we can do ourselves.

How is writing on this message board that the media ought to be doing more getting anywhere closer to the solution you propose? What is complaining here that the media ought to be doing something only you think it ought to be doing accomplishing? I would say, therefore, that this is ineffective action.

Since you yourself cannot set up a site, would writing to the media people and Letters to the Editors be more effective? At least it would be a move in the *right *direction, altho the difficulties of the business aspect would still remain.

 

[gracepoole]

News has become (was it always?) a business. Driven by supply and demand. If the demand for more news about poverty was there, the supply would be there. The news is a reflection of what we want. We should change what we watch, read, buy etc., en masse, to make changes to what is supplied.

They are in competition with one another for viewers, readers, internet hits, etc.

It applies to a lot more than just news. All media. Clothes. Food. Housing. Transportation.

Change the demand, change the supply.

That’s at the root of my signature.

 

[tabycat]

Did anyone ask you to do that? No.

What I am saying is that there is *effective *action, and there is *ineffective *action. The prayer reminds us to act prudently, to do what we can do ourselves.

How is writing on this message board that the media ought to be doing more getting anywhere closer to the solution you propose? What is complaining here that the media ought to be doing something only you think it ought to be doing accomplishing? I would say, therefore, that this is ineffective action.

Since you yourself cannot set up a site, would writing to the media people and Letters to the Editors be more effective? At least it would be a move in the *right *direction, altho the difficulties of the business aspect would still remain.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Did anyone ask you to do that? No.

What I am saying is that there is *effective *action, and there is *ineffective *action. The prayer reminds us to act prudently, to do what we can do ourselves.

How is writing on this message board that the media ought to be doing more getting anywhere closer to the solution you propose? What is complaining here that the media ought to be doing something only you think it ought to be doing accomplishing? I would say, therefore, that this is ineffective action.

Since you yourself cannot set up a site, would writing to the media people and Letters to the Editors be more effective? At least it would be a move in the *right *direction, altho the difficulties of the business aspect would still remain.

I care deeply about extreme poverty, and I’m doing what I can to make people aware of these atrocities, such as my having created this thread. However, again, it’s up to the media and politicians to really make a difference. Society needs to be made aware of these crimes against humanity!

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Repost:

Until there is a push through the media, we will continue to turn a blind eye to the problem and little will change. We’re talking about crimes against humanity here!

Well Robert, why don’t you write some letters to the editor for your home newspaper? Volunteer to go a 'guest editorial"? Why not go to your local TV station and radio station and volunteer to put some ‘spots’ together? If you have to pay, get people from your church to pony up. Why not volunteer to go around to your local school, nursing home, town hall, etc., and talk about the subject? Why not hold a few bake sales and car washes to pay for a speaker who has actually been through extreme poverty? Why not take your camera or camcorder and show the homeless right in your own backyard? Why not encourage your town to have a ‘sister city’ program with a very poor town? And then, Robert, you can come back and tell us how it’s working. Because if you find out that one of these in particular seems to work ‘best’ for your town, you can have something concrete to urge others to do. Or you can report on all of them, so that everybody knows which seemed to be ‘best’ for you.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Well Robert, why don’t you write some letters to the editor for your home newspaper? Volunteer to go a 'guest editorial"? Why not go to your local TV station and radio station and volunteer to put some ‘spots’ together? If you have to pay, get people from your church to pony up. Why not volunteer to go around to your local school, nursing home, town hall, etc., and talk about the subject? Why not hold a few bake sales and car washes to pay for a speaker who has actually been through extreme poverty? Why not take your camera or camcorder and show the homeless right in your own backyard? Why not encourage your town to have a ‘sister city’ program with a very poor town? And then, Robert, you can come back and tell us how it’s working. Because if you find out that one of these in particular seems to work ‘best’ for your town, you can have something concrete to urge others to do. Or you can report on all of them, so that everybody knows which seemed to be ‘best’ for you.

You’re getting away from the key questions of this thread. Who’s to say that I’m physically, mentally and emotionally able to accomplish the things you are talking about! I do what I’m able, such as having posted this thread! What are you doing?

 

[SamH]

For your edification ewtn.com/library/ENCYC/B14VIXPE.htm

You do not understand that all modern money is borrowed into circulation at interest. If it were credited into existence without interest, all the benefits of fractional reserve lending would be realized, with none of the downside. Fractional reserve lending allows for more money to be created as needed, but is unjust in that it is fraud. It is impossible to ever repay the interest without either making a new loan, or unfairly exploiting someone. Entire national populations are in perpetual debt slavery, without any way to redeem themselves.

On the other hand, mutual credit allows for more money to be created as needed, without interest. It puts control back into the hands of the people who give money its value. It’s entirely just, in that people are crediting society instead of debiting it. Public liability notes would become public asset notes. There is no exploitation, because people are extending society credit. Even the poorest people have time and talent to offer, and with mutual credit they could get the things they need when they need them.

Usury is an assault on society. You would do well to research mutual credit and time currencies, in order to more fully understand what they are. They are significantly different from the system currently and predominantly in use throughout the world today, and they are not sinful.

Don’t tell me what I know and don’t know. Claiming I don’t understand something because I don;t agree with you is a very weak position to attempt to take. Money has no value if you can’t charge interest on it. Its liek any other asset. Your claim would be akin to claiming rent should be illegal - same logic.

I asked you if you ever investigated what happened to the European economy when your idea was the law of the continent? The only pockets of prosperity were areas that contained large numbers of Jews - because they were exempt from the law.

Apparently not.

 

[SamH]

Well Robert, why don’t you write some letters to the editor for your home newspaper? Volunteer to go a 'guest editorial"? Why not go to your local TV station and radio station and volunteer to put some ‘spots’ together? If you have to pay, get people from your church to pony up. Why not volunteer to go around to your local school, nursing home, town hall, etc., and talk about the subject? Why not hold a few bake sales and car washes to pay for a speaker who has actually been through extreme poverty? Why not take your camera or camcorder and show the homeless right in your own backyard? Why not encourage your town to have a ‘sister city’ program with a very poor town? And then, Robert, you can come back and tell us how it’s working. Because if you find out that one of these in particular seems to work ‘best’ for your town, you can have something concrete to urge others to do. Or you can report on all of them, so that everybody knows which seemed to be ‘best’ for you.

Or he could give some of his own money - but I don’t see him making that claim. It’s supposed to be someone else’s money that helps these people.

 

[Elizabeth502]

I’m doing what I can to make people aware of these atrocities, such as my having created this thread.

Then you’re speaking to the wrong audience, because as it’s been pointed out to you abundantly, the people on CAF are probably not the people lacking information, regardless of your repeated denial of what they alone would know.

However, again, it’s up to the media and politicians to really make a difference.

Do you consider CAF “the media?” If so, sounds as if the forum administrators would be the ones “to really make a difference,” no? The posters on CAF don’t “represent” the owners. We’re just members, and we most certainly are not “the media.” So, as the poster St. Francis or someone else suggested, you should be contacting the media instead of repeatedly harassing us here.

Society needs to be made aware of these crimes against humanity!

Educated society is quite aware. And most of the First World (which would include “the media”) is educated. Apparently, therefore, awareness is insufficient. And NGO’s are more than aware, and respond by pouring money into sinkholes, when structural change --political, economic, and practical- is what is required to end the cycle.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

You’re getting away from the key questions of this thread. Who’s to say that I’m physically, mentally and emotionally able to accomplish the things you are talking about! I do what I’m able, such as having posted this thread! What are you doing?

No, I’m not. If you say the media has a moral obligation it’s not meeting, Robert, and you are ‘able’ to come on THIS site and make threads, why can’t you write a letter to the editor for your newspaper? What’s the difference?

 

[Robert_Sock]

Then you’re speaking to the wrong audience, because as it’s been pointed out to you abundantly, the people on CAF are probably not the people lacking information, regardless of your repeated denial of what they alone would know.

Do you consider CAF “the media?” If so, sounds as if the forum administrators would be the ones “to really make a difference,” no? The posters on CAF don’t “represent” the owners. We’re just members, and we most certainly are not “the media.” So, as the poster St. Francis or someone else suggested, you should be contacting the media instead of repeatedly harassing us here.

Educated society is quite aware. And most of the First World (which would include “the media”) is educated. Apparently, therefore, awareness is insufficient. And NGO’s are more than aware, and respond by pouring money into sinkholes, when structural change --political, economic, and practical- is what is required to end the cycle.

Nobody is forcing you to read or post on the thread, yet you’re still here. Why, if you find it harassing?

 

[Robert_Sock]

Don’t mean to shock anyone, but this is an example of what the media is keeping from you! 3.5 million children die from starvation each and every year!

 

[Elizabeth502]

Nobody is forcing you to read or post on the thread, yet you’re still here. Why, if you find it harassing?

Because I have no less right than you, Robert, to be on this forum, and to register an opinion about what you are doing, that’s why. Same as the others here, the majority of whom similarly disagree with you. You opposed me several times, and I have a right to oppose you back and defend myself against unfounded charges. Since you’re not the moderator, you’re not in a position to tell me that I shouldn’t be on the thread to register the fact that you are harassing posters by constantly opening similar threads and reposting over & over the identical thumbnails which you have already posted.

When you open a thread, be prepared for criticism & opposition.