Media Bias

Why is everyone here so consumed with how bad the world "has become"? Statistics world wide prove quite the opposite. The media loves to fear-monger and they are reaching their goals as is eveidence by most of the post on ATS.

Though we’re bombarded with images of disfigured bodies, bloodshed and human atrocities, (and they do happen) however, the statistics speak for themselves:

The number of people killed in battle has dropped by 1,000-fold. Centuries ago, it was 500 deaths per 100,000. Today it’s three-tenths of a person per 100,000. ALthough the media would have you believe other wise with its constant bombarding of war after war in the news.

The rate of genocide deaths per world population was 1,400 times higher in 1942 than in 2008.
There are 5x more democracies now than in 1946 (and 1/3 the number of dictatorships).

Murder in European countries has steadily fallen from near 100 per 100,000 people in the 14th and 15th centuries to about 1 per 100,000 people now.

Rape in the United States is down 80 percent since 1973.

Discrimination against blacks and gays is down, as is capital punishment and child abuse.

Of course, ‘good news’ doesn’t build viewership in the same way that fear mongering does. Just something to think about with all the conspiracy therories going around.

good point.

Come to think of it, when was the last time anyone can remember 'good' news being reported ?

Not for a while here in the UK.

Good point OP.
Actually there are good things reported in the UK . Weren't there some sort of community awards recently? But the fact is bad news, especially dramatic bad news, sells papers etc. The internet just feeds on it and spews it out in an endless global loop. So inevitably sites like this - in the process of promoting discussion and awareness - also promote paranoia and negativity.
I was on one site which tried to counter this with a 'good news thread'. Though it has to be said, people still preferred reports/speculation about war and disaster.

reply to post by Durchlaucht

Nobody wants to see good news on the news. Its all about the drama, thats why those real housewives shows are so popular, people love it. Just thought I would add that imo focusing on the problems that are around keeps people from becoming too complacent. I mean sure, things are better today, but we still have a lot of work to do.

I think you are blaming the wrong people. The media is not the controller but rather the controlled. All you have to do to see it is start following "other" sources. Read news from Europe and you'll see how we are told what tptb want us to hear. We couldn't see bodies coming back from Iraq or get correct figures when Bush was in power, Hell we were shooting our own football stars and the media was lied to about it. Or saving Jessica Lynch and she was instructed to lie to the media. Ain't the media, it's the government.

They want you to disbelieve the media because that's the broadest outlet for people to hear the truth of what is going on. Have you ever wondered why the "liberal" media is owned by rich conservatives like Rupert Murdock? It don't take much brain power to make you go hmm on that one or that the once reveared Bill O'Reilly is now dispised by the same people who worshipped him. RINO? That's a laugh. Caught red handed so now they weren't republicans. Ever notice how these "family values/anti-gay" people keep getting caught in public restrooms or with a whore in a motel?