Originally published Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 12:00 AM
IFC takes a look at the U.S. media from all angles
"The IFC Media Project" is a series of half-hour reports that explores corporate and government influence, revenues and simple expediency, among other forces shaping the media's news coverage.
The Associated Press
TV Lookout |
Considering how many shows tell you how to dress, lose weight, fix your house or find love, it's unfortunate you don't get more help in understanding the news media.
For the next six weeks, the meager list of TV resources has been boosted by one remarkably informative entry: "The IFC Media Project."
Don't let the academic-sounding title put you off. This series of half-hour reports takes the subject seriously, but goes about it in a brisk, direct, sometimes wry-witted way. The series explores corporate and government influence, revenues and simple expediency, among other forces shaping the media's news coverage.
All by itself, the first piece on the premiere (at 8 p.m. Tuesday) reveals a lot — pack-journalism mentality, an obsession with ratings and the need to fill hours of airtime inexpensively — by asking: Why are the media obsessed with missing white girls?
A major part of the answer: A publicity agent who makes big bucks as a ghoulish "talent scout," identifying cases with the potentially broadest audience appeal and, with the complicity of media outlets, making absentee "stars" of the victims he helps "launch."
Another extremely valuable piece investigates how the pro-Israel lobby helps shape media coverage of Israel and relations with the U.S. It's an eye-opening look at a hot-button issue.
Next week: A primer on how the Bush administration sold the Iraq war to the American people with strategies such as the embed program and military consultants given airtime on the networks.
The series' host is Peabody- and Emmy-winning journalist Gideon Yago. And its creator is Meghan O'Hara, whose film credits include a longtime collaboration with Michael Moore on his features "Sicko," "Fahrenheit 9/11" and "Bowling for Columbine" — an association that may cause some viewers to swear off "The IFC Media Project" without so much as a glance.
But that would be a shame. Members of the public who most doubt (or even hate) the media may find useful arguments in this series. Why, then, just simmer in resentment?
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
![]()
Sheen media blitz heads to Twitter after TV shows
Sheen loses kids to cops, gains Twitter followers
NEW - 7:00 PM
Thursday TV Picks: The new 'Ice Brigade' on Food Network
Gingrich, Santorum off Fox to consider POTUS run
Sheen: 'My efforts' helped get pay for 'Men' crew

general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Electronics
just listed
Adorable Bull Terrier puppies for good home...
AKC Great Dane Puppies Ready
AKC PAL/ILP Registered Labs
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
- Quick decisions: How Washington hired its new football staff
- Social worker recounts minutes before Powell fire
- Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looms
- Justin Wilcox's versatile defensive style is the right fit for Huskies | Jerry Brewer
- It's Terrence Time: Enigmatic Ross leads Huskies
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
493 - Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
386 - Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
316 - AP Source: Obama to change birth control rule
299 - Oregon live game thread
155 - Worker: Josh Powell told son he had 'surprise'
108 - Rough road again
107 - A few late-night notes
79 - USA Today further spells out how Mariners, handful of clubs next in line for huge cash windfall
75 - Marijuana legalization initiative set to go on Nov. ballot
72
- Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Economy, blogs give survivalists new reason to look to Northwest
- State's share of mortgage settlement: $648 million
- Bellevue College adds a third bachelor's degree program
- One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
- Darren Berg gets 18-year sentence for Ponzi scheme
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review
