Selectively Juggling

This is a highly poignant question requiring deeper reflection and thought. At first, I was going to write about certain negative aspects of social media platforms. Don’t get me wrong; I believe that social media plays a crucial role in contemporary society. Unfortunately, the once powerful and far-reaching Twitter is now owned and run by an incompetent, out-of-step sod who’s willingly destroyed its core. Twitter is in its flailing last legs of existence. Anyway, I digress. What I wanted to write about relates to misinformation, disinformation and the abhorrent wealth, influence and reach of media moguls, such as Rupert Murdoch and his ilk. He (and his son Lachlan) are a blight on society, nothing but a large pustule on the butt of society. Their powerful network and reach span the globe. That should be alarming! It is to me.

Murdoch’s like a giant menacing octopus (my apologies to Octopuses/Octopi the world over) with his metaphorically insidious and somewhat sticky tentacles powerfully embedded in everyone’s business. More alarmingly is the political clout and power these divisive right-wing conservatives wield. It is apparent that Murdoch has no ethical desire or financial impetus to improve the lives of the marginalised, the disenfranchised and the vulnerable. He shows no desire to disseminate ethically sourced, balanced and accurate news, media, and information. On the contrary, Murdoch’s money and power place him centre stage as a puppeteer and maestro. His reach has influenced many countries and the election of conservative governments. Take, for example, his abuse of power here in Australia; his right-wing conservative rhetoric spread all over his locally owned mass media, his print media. His intention is simple, to strongly influence the minds and choices of millions of voters. Indeed, this is too much power for one man to wield, too much control to hold in the palm of his gnarled and twisted hands.

When society, that is, the masses, cannot access unbiased media and learn the truth about society, government policies, agendas and the like, they cannot fully participate in that society. It’s the equivalent of being told to sit down for a card game, yet the holder is dealing some ‘go fish’ while others are dealt ‘Uno’ cards., but we are all expected to play poker. We all must be privy to honest, accurate, unbiased, ethically sourced, and accessible news and information. I remember being in University Lecture where the lecturer talked about knowledge, information and power “Information and knowledge is power”. By that assertion, one could easily deduce that ‘misinformation, disinformation and biased news, media and information are the opposite of knowledge and power’. Albeit for those in power, those manufacturing the fake news, aka The Murdochs and their right-wing stooges. The networks who are willing to disseminate lies, disinformation and misinformation. Those who are willing to propagate further social division and inequality. This is real power, and when in the hands of a malignant narcissist has the potential to cause significant social and generational harm.

The blatant spread of disinformation and misinformation is nauseating. I’ve repeatedly witnessed Murdoch media exercising unethical and unwavering support for political parties that have been proven corrupt and politicians proven to be acting with criminal intent. Conversely, I have seen Murdoch News disseminate scathing attacks on parties and politicians without merit to cause harm and sway public opinion. The court of public opinion exists and has a real influence on shaping governments and policies, especially when voters elect politicians based upon manufactured unethical disinformation. So I would change this about modern society: the fact that billionaires exist and that a microscopic percentage of society wields so much power and control. Until then, I am mindful of what news and media I consume. I look for bias and prejudice. I want to see the world through a relatively clear lens, not the manufactured fake-coloured lenses Murdoch wants me to wear. We all need compassion and empathy, not to view life through the lenses carefully crafted by a malignant narcissistic billionaire with a god complex.