I perused an article on Alternet that discusses the news propaganda machine that is now in vogue across America. [ Link here. ] It’s another example of the dumbing down of network news and current affairs programming that has become commonplace. The author, Don Hagen, calls it a “Sliming Bowl”, and I’m inclined to agree with him.

I find the video in the article particularly interesting. It shows a compendium of clips disparaging Barack Obama, presently a contender for presidential nomination in the 2008 election campaign.

One of the ideas put forth to counter the Slime Bowl effect is for the candidates to ignore any kind of faux news and not participate in their shenanigans. I don’t think that would hold up under scrutiny, given the audience numbers for the network, but if it’s possible, it sure sounds like a good start.

The article goes on to describe the disinformation machine that is the current occupier of the White House together with the “news” organization that is faux. It’s an interesting read, and to me paints quite a picture of how the disinformation campaign will unfold during the two year campaign. Which reminds me – when did election campaigns start running two years in advance?

It should be quite a show to watch.