Listen to This Network CEO Revel in the Amazing Profits of Presidential Candidates "Throwing Crap at Each Other"
An inside look at why corporate media eggs on Trump's divisive—and lucrative—braggadocio
Even as large swaths of the population call for media outlets to do their part in stemming the "dangerous tide of hatred, violence, and suspicion" taking hold in the United States, corporate media--which stands to benefit nicely from the $5 billion 2016 presidential election--is egging on that same divisive rhetoric.
"Go Donald! Keep getting out there!" CBS Corporation chief executive Les Moonves reportedly said during an investor presentation Monday.
Trumpeting the advertising dollars already flowing CBS's way as a result of the crowded 2016 GOP presidential primary, Moonves said: "We love having all 16 Republicans candidates throwing crap at each other -- it's great. The more they spend, the better it is for us."
"And, you know, this is fun, watching this, let them spend money on us, and we love having them in there," he declared. "We're looking forward to a very exciting political year in '16."
Listen below:
Writing for The Intercept, Lee Fang notes that "[t]he call took place right around the same time Trump announced his intention to bar Muslim immigrants from entering the United States, suggesting the CBS chief didn't know about that yet."
However, Fang continues, "Moonves' remarks came after months of similar rhetoric from Trump, including claims that the Mexican government is sending rapists into the U.S. and statements supporting a registration system for Muslim Americans."
As Common Dreams and others have reported, media companies are positioned to benefit from the unlimited campaign spending corrupting the U.S. political system. As Moonves said in 2012, "Super PACs may be bad for America, but they're very good for CBS."
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This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Even as large swaths of the population call for media outlets to do their part in stemming the "dangerous tide of hatred, violence, and suspicion" taking hold in the United States, corporate media--which stands to benefit nicely from the $5 billion 2016 presidential election--is egging on that same divisive rhetoric.
"Go Donald! Keep getting out there!" CBS Corporation chief executive Les Moonves reportedly said during an investor presentation Monday.
Trumpeting the advertising dollars already flowing CBS's way as a result of the crowded 2016 GOP presidential primary, Moonves said: "We love having all 16 Republicans candidates throwing crap at each other -- it's great. The more they spend, the better it is for us."
"And, you know, this is fun, watching this, let them spend money on us, and we love having them in there," he declared. "We're looking forward to a very exciting political year in '16."
Listen below:
Writing for The Intercept, Lee Fang notes that "[t]he call took place right around the same time Trump announced his intention to bar Muslim immigrants from entering the United States, suggesting the CBS chief didn't know about that yet."
However, Fang continues, "Moonves' remarks came after months of similar rhetoric from Trump, including claims that the Mexican government is sending rapists into the U.S. and statements supporting a registration system for Muslim Americans."
As Common Dreams and others have reported, media companies are positioned to benefit from the unlimited campaign spending corrupting the U.S. political system. As Moonves said in 2012, "Super PACs may be bad for America, but they're very good for CBS."
Even as large swaths of the population call for media outlets to do their part in stemming the "dangerous tide of hatred, violence, and suspicion" taking hold in the United States, corporate media--which stands to benefit nicely from the $5 billion 2016 presidential election--is egging on that same divisive rhetoric.
"Go Donald! Keep getting out there!" CBS Corporation chief executive Les Moonves reportedly said during an investor presentation Monday.
Trumpeting the advertising dollars already flowing CBS's way as a result of the crowded 2016 GOP presidential primary, Moonves said: "We love having all 16 Republicans candidates throwing crap at each other -- it's great. The more they spend, the better it is for us."
"And, you know, this is fun, watching this, let them spend money on us, and we love having them in there," he declared. "We're looking forward to a very exciting political year in '16."
Listen below:
Writing for The Intercept, Lee Fang notes that "[t]he call took place right around the same time Trump announced his intention to bar Muslim immigrants from entering the United States, suggesting the CBS chief didn't know about that yet."
However, Fang continues, "Moonves' remarks came after months of similar rhetoric from Trump, including claims that the Mexican government is sending rapists into the U.S. and statements supporting a registration system for Muslim Americans."
As Common Dreams and others have reported, media companies are positioned to benefit from the unlimited campaign spending corrupting the U.S. political system. As Moonves said in 2012, "Super PACs may be bad for America, but they're very good for CBS."