Comments on: Doctors, Media Critics Demand Broader TV Debate on Healthcare

By: Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:57:32 +0000

Kate, I saw that same piece from FAIR, so thanks for adding it here. I think that in addition to the connection’s that FAIR points out, there also is the internal censorship of news media companies since the health care industry, drug & insurance companies spend a ton of money buy advertising space/time from news media.

By: Kate Wheeler

Kate Wheeler — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:47:45 +0000

I just found this online today:

http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3845

It may not be the entire answer, but there does seem to be links between mainstream media and large insurance companies at the board level that could be acting as a deterrent to reporting on single-payer advantages and public support for it.

By: Lana Boldi

Lana Boldi — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 05:53:12 +0000

Sorry for any confusion of my position, let me make myself very clear………I do, and have for years, support and have preached on behalf of Single Payer Nation Health Care. The UAW has supported this position on health care for many decades, and we have promoted this position very aggressively. On a personal note, even though I have good health benefits through my employer, my 2 adult sons have NO health care coverage at all. They both have health issues (one a back problem and the other a shoulder problem as well as a dental problem), but these issues have not been addressed because they would have to be a “self pay” and neither can afford the cost. As a Mother and as a concerned citizen, I am very committed to this country passing a Single Payer National Health Care Bill, now !!!!!!!!!

By: Kate Wheeler

Kate Wheeler — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:28:24 +0000

Jeff, what in your opinion is really driving the near-media blackout on health insurance reform, and particularly the absence of discussion about the advantages of single-payer? I understand why politicians, including Obama, are keeping it off the table: so many of them are funded by insurance and pharmeceutical companies. But how is the media linked into this? Do you think it’s because of the agendas or investments of parent companies? Some other editorial direction reporters are following? Or influence from politicians themselves?

We know, for example, that newspapers and other media can be blocked in DC from access to stories if they upset the sitting administration. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes choreography going on that we only glimpse from time to time. And of course, owners of papers have enormous influence over the editorial direction of reporting.

I know you touched on this in your commentary earlier this month but since you follow patterns in the media so closely, I’m wondering if you have a gut feeling about the driving force behind what seems eerily like a conspiracy of silence.

By: karen

karen — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:07:07 +0000

It seems that we in West Michigan are more reluctant to talk about single payer. Friends in other parts of the country are having open, inclusive dialogues.
We simply need single payer if we intend to provide health care to EVERYONE.

By: Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:35:11 +0000

Lana, I fully agree we need a truly national health care plan. Unfortunately, the administration and the news media are not talking about Single Payer, which would provide everyone with adequate health care coverage.

Jeff

By: Lana Boldi

Lana Boldi — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:11:52 +0000

We must have National Health Care now!!!