The Finger

[sesamosinsal]

678 plays an over the top nationalistic song and all of the pics of people from La Campora waiving their flags and ridiculously Pro-K pics. They are completely the other way, there's absolutely NO balance on their show either, so yes I think Argentine television does need a show that's from the entirely opposite side of things.

You never get the whole story reading Clarin, and you'll never get the whole story from El Tiempo. Read both, and you're a much more balanced person. I personally watch Lanata, 678, and read articles from various different sources There is a lot more opposition media to this government than pro-media, that is for sure. Most people don't do this, and those are the same people that waste their questions asking the president why she told everyone to be scared of her, when, in fact, she never said such a thing in the first place.

But my post had nothing to do with fairness or objectivity. They may play nationalistic music and wave Campora or Kolina flags, but the program never shows people telling the opposition to F-off and showing pictures of the gesture. There is a major difference. On a personal level, if my response to your post were, "Go shut the F up!," would you respond to me nicely? Would you response to me at all?

And Lanata was invited as guest on 678. He, of course, turned down the invitation.

 

[syngirl]

She said it very explicitly. I think you should watch the video again. And I assume you were watching the last question of tonight's Q&A at Harvard... It shocks me at how media illiterate the students at Harvard are.

At any rate, I did find some of her responses to the questions a bit uncomfortable. Some of them were demeaning. (Referring to one as "compañerito") I wish she were more responsive to the press, but then again, she has to put up with the constant manipulation of what she says. Again, I refer back to the constant manipulations that come from Grupo Clarin. The fear one is just a one among many.

I found her treatment of the students absolutely cringeworthy. If she wasn't trying to flirt (with Manuel from Venezuela) she was absolutely denigrating and tried her best to put people "in their place". You could see her humour change after the American girl asked her about her personal wealth last night. After telling her off she turned back to the microphone and her eyes flinched for a moment -- she really was angry then. Then the poor guy from San Juan comes up to the mic and was completely full of emotion and had this whole discussion taken place behind closed doors I think he would have walked out of her office having been castrated. And THEN after she was done telling him off she went into "playful" mode -- come on, ask me a question, no no one more (I DARE YOU) -- and then the last question that came was such a stupid softy question I couldn't take it anymore, I turned off the TV and was done. I would have loved it if the LAST question had been something that cut even closer -- my husband was wishing that someone would have asked her about the terra fiscals (the purchasing of land for 2 dollars a hectare or whatever it was).


Regarding "she has to put up with constant manipulation of her words" etc by the press -- well yes she does, now, but were this govt more transparent, if they had instilled the tradition of Q&A sessions, if they actually had a press secretary (I mean, do they even? The position of press secretary is always very well recognised in the USA, I don't even think that she has one here....) who met with the press even just once a month then maybe the press would have at least started with a more open mind about her.

In fact, the press DID used to have a more open mind about the Ks -- it was only after Clarin sided with the farmers in their export debacle back in I think 2006 or 2007 that they really started to become enemies. Prior to that, believe it or not, Clarin actually did have some positives to say about the Ks -- it's only after they dared criticise Nestor did it become a Clarin v CFK situation.

 

[Johnny]

He sure does!!

I just think that one thing he says so well is not productive right now. Or am I wrong?

I suspect you are probably right about that.

I know who Lanata is and I know a bit about his history, specifically his reputation with the Kirchnerites as a turncoat. I have seen his show, but only briefly.

For me, the most instructive way to view these provocative demonstrations by media personalities/networks is through the economic prism. I am sure Lanata, and whoever runs his show, is not much different than the folks who are responsible for the content on Fox and MSNBC in the states. In other words, you create and nurture your viewing "constituency", hone your "appeal" to that viewer group, and then do what is necessary to maintain your ratings. For many, the more outrageous the better. This is the stock in trade of folks like Keith Olbermann, Rush Limbaugh and many others. They are creating and maintaining viewers/listeners. Which boosts ratings and the all important advertising dollars. Plus, and this is no small matter, it further inflates their gargantuan egos and their own income.

So, I see the "digit" as a symbol of Lanata's thirst for viewers and money. He may not be fond of CFK, but the digit is all about firing up his base.

 

[sesamosinsal]

Regarding "she has to put up with constant manipulation of her words" etc by the press -- well yes she does, now, but were this govt more transparent, if they had instilled the tradition of Q&A sessions, if they actually had a press secretary (I mean, do they even? The position of press secretary is always very well recognised in the USA, I don't even think that she has one here....) who met with the press even just once a month then maybe the press would have at least started with a more open mind about her.

In fact, the press DID used to have a more open mind about the Ks -- it was only after Clarin sided with the farmers in their export debacle back in I think 2006 or 2007 that they really started to become enemies. Prior to that, believe it or not, Clarin actually did have some positives to say about the Ks -- it's only after they dared criticise Nestor did it become a Clarin v CFK situation.

Her press secretary is Alfredo Scoccimarro. In my opinion, her team isn't very good. The Once train incident showed that. It was a national tragedy, and that fact that she never went down to the scene of the incident to make an appearance looked awful from a communication perspective. Despite the manipulation, I agree with the complaint that she needs to be more open to the press.

The Clarin and Kirchner relationship is interesting. When the relationship with Clarin was mutually beneficial prior to 2008, there were no complaints. Now that it isn't, Clarin is completely negative on the Ks, and CFK refers to them as a monopoly. I agree that they are a monopoly, and they do poor journalism. I think Clarin is a lot like FOX News. However, I do sometimes question her motives given the cozy relationship both enjoyed prior to 2008. Would should be breaking up Clarin if they ran the same content as El Tiempo?

 

[ItsyBits]

As I see it, the media situation has the same problems as most things in Argentina. People should do what they are supposed to do.

Lanata seem like a smart guy but maybe he should stick to investigative journalism if that is what he wants to do. Leave the fingers and satire to comedians and others. Same goes for 678 with their supposedly funny explanations. I would love to see Lanata doing some shows investigation Clarin and others. And 678 debating seriously about government corruption, transparency, rule of law etc. I guarantee that both shows would have higher ratings. It is probably not going to happen for a long time.

If Clarin group has such a monopoly over media broadcast I am fine with something being done about that. Maybe I dont know enough, but I dont see the necessity of a specific law for regulating media. Is there no law that stops one company from having to much market shares? If so, why didnt this happen? If not, maybe implement one that applies for all companies? I would personally like to be able to choose from more ISP´s, electric companies, cellphone plans etc. Maybe make it easier to start up new companies that can compete with prices and quality?

Also I dont understand why there is not more discussion about the role and function of TV Publica. Coming from a more or less social democratic country that works fairly well I know how important it is that state financed institutions are independent from political influence and the need of control mechanisms to prevent it.

Doesnt matter how crappy news Clarin deliver, the public TV needs to be better or at least honestly try to do so. The role of the president and the board of the channel(or however they run it) is not to please the current government but to deliver balanced information of as high quality as possible based on what all political parties can agree on. If they need to hire employees, find the best ones for the job, not your family, friends or some militante with your preferred ideological flavor.

Now I feel a need to watch that mirror scene with Edward Norton from the 25th hour .
(youtu.be/5Za2k5wA3sk)

 

[HenryNisental]

Funny that you mentioned: this ignoramus that is our current president NEVER acceded to a free press conference (neither did her ex husband, by the way). So no matter what you say or do, they have deaf ears for everybody and everything anyway.

 

[HenryNisental]

You are an ignorant too when you refer to CLARIN as a monopoly.
FYI, the word monopoly comes from MONO, WHICH MEANS ONE OR ONLY; AND POLIS, MEANING SELLER.
As it is in our country now, nobody in his right mind can claim that CLARIN is the only newspaper, or that they own the ONLY TV channel.
The word MONOPOLY is used and abused by this people, who loves to stick negative labels to anybody they do not like, or obey their designs.
And their designs usually are any program that brings them huge amounts of cash.

 

[BienTeVeo]

I found her treatment of the students absolutely cringeworthy. If she wasn't trying to flirt (with Manuel from Venezuela) she was absolutely denigrating and tried her best to put people "in their place". You could see her humour change after the American girl asked her about her personal wealth last night. After telling her off she turned back to the microphone and her eyes flinched for a moment -- she really was angry then. Then the poor guy from San Juan comes up to the mic and was completely full of emotion and had this whole discussion taken place behind closed doors I think he would have walked out of her office having been castrated.

It was a sorry spectacle.

In fact, the press DID used to have a more open mind about the Ks -- it was only after Clarin sided with the farmers in their export debacle back in I think 2006 or 2007 that they really started to become enemies. Prior to that, believe it or not, Clarin actually did have some positives to say about the Ks -- it's only after they dared criticise Nestor did it become a Clarin v CFK situation.

Wasn't Clarin granted its current license (the one they now cite as "monopolico" by Nestor himself?

 

[scotttswan]

I have cable and from what i see clarin owns 2 channels on my box.

A news channel and a general channel.

Where is their monopoly?

 

[sesamosinsal]

Where is their monopoly?

You don't have to be a monopoly by definition to have a monopolizing effect. Out of the 264 radio and TV licenses in the country, Clarin has 70 percent, according to this journalist. Infonews (a K friendly outlet) says that they have 237 of the 264.Wiki says 150. It would be like GE owning NBC, ABC, and CBS, with News Corp hanging onto FOX.

I wish someone would have asked her why break up Grupo Clarin today when she and Nestor could have done it from 2003 on? That would have been a much better question.