Post #5: My Own Choice

Here is an example of to what extent the media can have an influence over the public. The article talks about an interview that was conducted on ABC regarding the use of torture practices. A former C.I.A. agent inaccurately claimed that after performing the technique of water boarding on one suspected terrorist, the terrorist confessed within seconds. The media went crazy with this information. Newspapers, blogs, and television and radio broadcasts spread this "fact" rapidly. however, a memo that was just released indicates that this information was in fact incorrect. The terrorist in question was tortured by means of water boarding at least 83 times according to the document.

The C.I.A. agent just did not have his facts straight and because of this, incorrect information was given to the public who blindly accepted it as truth. The media can really shape our perceptions of what is going on in the world. We take it as truth and very rarely do we question it. But with mistakes likes these perhaps it is time that we start looking more critically on what is being reported to us.

When people first heard that water boarding was affective in obtaining needed information it may seem like a reasonable practice. But to what extent? Now, with this new information out there, will people change their opinions on this hotly debated issue especially if the interview in 2007 impacted them?