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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Manufacturing Harry Potter |
Current rating: 0 |
by Joe Futrelle
Email: futrelle (nospam) shout.net (unverified!) |
15 Nov 2001
Modified: 03:20:05 PM |
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The "Harry Potter" movie is big news in CNN and Time. Why? Because AOL/Time Warner owns both news sources. |
The "Harry Potter" movie is big news in CNN and Time. Why? Because AOL/Time Warner owns both news sources.
On CNN Headline News last night a story was repeatedly aired under the headline "Countdown to Harry Potter". Today CNN.com ran a story about a CNN/Time poll showing that adults as well as children are going to flock to the upcoming release.
The stories on CNN.com dutifully mention that AOL/Time Warner owns both the studio and CNN. But is this enough to mitigate the fact that these so-called "news" items serve mostly as advertisements?
To be sure, Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon that deserves some attention from the entertainment press. But what other "products" are the news media "selling" us in their other coverage? Where are the disclaimers on stories about environmental, economic, diplomatic and military policy?
What would indymedia's disclaimer be by comparison? "Indymedia is not a wholly owned subsidiary of any corporation"? :) |
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daisy chains |
by Jro
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
15 Nov 2001
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Well, Jello Biafra said in many of his spoken word CDs that stuff like this daisy-chains.
Harry Potter becomes a hit book series, (despite being censored in some school districts,) which is published by the company owned publisher, which is made into a movie through the company owned film company, the soundtrack is made by company owned artists who appear on the company owned label, the toys and clothing are released through the company owned manufacturers, and the company owned products are either featured in the film or used to promote the movie, and it keeps going around in circles. |
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... right, but now CNN is in the loop |
by Joe Futrelle
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
15 Nov 2001
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I don't have a huge problem with mass-marketed culture per se, but it troubles me that lately these huge blockbuster entertainment franchises have become "news", crowding out stories about real-life events. Consolidation between news agencies and movie and video-game companies just increases the conflict of private interests and public service. |
