An Example 7 AUG 08

So, let's see what we have for news... The US loses a gymnast, is lead story. Minor story, not big news. Anderson Cooper is arguing with the Lohans. DEFINITELY not news. Why we won't see 10s in the Olympics. Marginal news. And a city mandates solar panels (good idea) and residents are angry.

Now, the headline says one thing, but the story says another. The story shows that the mandate is a product of a proposition that passed with 80% approval six months ago. So, in point of fact THERE IS VERY LITTLE anger. Some small percent of the 20% who opposed are angry. However, the HEADLINE frames it like a city demands solar panels NOW and ALL the residents are angry, as neither the when nor the amount were quantified. As a result, it comes off as some kind of "kooky bad thing" some crazy gubmint did to poor ordinary taxpayers - typical neocon horsecrap framing.

Since most people only have the time to glance at the headlines (lord knows that's what I do half the time) the wording and framing implications in Yahoo become political weapons. And I have noticed that Yahoo news tends to frame things like so:

1. Gubmint is weird and will do bad things
2. You must conform and fit in to the demands of the plutocracy
3. Sports is REALLY important
4. Corporations are "just trying to do business"
5. Support the troops
6. Whatever neocon horsepucky talking points the fascists are spewing today.

Argh. More later.