The Business of Truth: How Media and Politics Became a Match Made in Corruption

 

The Business of Truth: How Media and Politics Became a Match Made in Corruption

The Last Word

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Welcome to the world of modern media, where truth is optional, and profits are the main objective. Journalism, once revered for its role in informing the public and holding the powerful accountable, has transformed into a high-stakes business driven by sensationalism. Why bother with facts when fabricating a juicy story can rake in more viewers and, in turn, more money? It’s not about the truth anymore; it’s about what sells.

Political campaigns have become the media’s favorite playground, a real-life soap opera filled with endless drama and plot twists. For the media, the 24/7 news cycle is an endless opportunity to churn out stories—truthful or not—and keep the audience hooked. The more stories they generate, the more ads they sell, and the richer they get. And in the U.S., where elections have become obscenely expensive, candidates have no choice but to raise billions to stay in the game. That money? It flows straight into the coffers of the media companies, who, in turn, help shape the narrative of the election.

Ever wondered why journalists rarely call out candidates when they blatantly lie? It’s not an oversight; it’s all part of the show. That lie is just another piece of content, a new storyline to dissect on talk shows where pundits from all sides scream at each other about who’s right and who’s wrong. Meanwhile, the hosts sit back and watch the ratings soar. Nobody ever questions why the interviewer didn’t challenge the candidate during the interview because, let’s be honest, that would ruin the fun.

After the dust settles, we often console ourselves by saying that all politicians are corrupt, so we might as well vote for the one who aligns most closely with our views. But here’s the dirty little secret: those politicians are bought and paid for, and their first loyalty is to the billionaires and special interest groups that funded their campaigns. So when a politician’s big donors come knocking, you can bet they’re going to answer. The needs of the average voter? Not so much.

If the Democrats manage to win both houses in the upcoming election, we can’t just celebrate and move on. We must demand that they tackle the issue of dark money in politics. This flood of untraceable cash has hijacked our democracy, keeping our politicians in the pockets of the wealthy. Until we break this cycle, our national debt and other critical issues will remain unresolved because our leaders are too busy serving their financial backers.

This isn’t just an American problem; it’s happening all over the world. Take Bangladesh, for example, where a recent revolt was almost predictable. When a government is held together by cash rather than genuine support, it’s only a matter of time before the people push back. Even Russia’s Putin could see it coming, and he’s probably got a few more predictions lined up for other countries. India might have been on that list too, but Rahul Gandhi’s Unity Yatra has provided a platform for people to voice their concerns, bringing some much-needed transparency to the conversation.

Back in the U.S., we love to point fingers at the Murdoch family for corrupting the media. Sure, they deserve some of the blame but let’s not forget the Koch brothers and others who paved the way for dark money to flood into politics with the Citizens United decision. This ruling effectively legalized the buying of political influence, turning our democracy into an auction where the highest bidder wins.

There was a time when journalism meant something. Icons like Walter Cronkite, Ted Koppel, and Barbara Walters were the voices of truth and integrity. They reported the news without fear or favor, refusing to be swayed by money or power. But those days are gone. Today, journalism is just another business, and the truth is up for sale to the highest bidder.

And it’s not just in America. Even in democracies like India, the media often acts more like a government spokesperson than a watchdog, burying stories that could expose corruption and holding onto the ones that protect the powerful. This isn’t what the media was supposed to be.

For a dose of reality, I recommend watching Lawrence O’Donnell’s episode of *The Last Word* after Trump’s press conference. He hits the nail on the head, breaking down exactly how the media plays into this circus. You can watch the episode The Last Word.

The problem is clear: money has corrupted both our media and our politics. The solution? The U.S. government needs to step in and clean up this mess. But let’s be honest—do we think the people benefiting from this system are going to be the ones to change it? Not likely. So while we wait for that unlikely miracle, we’re left with a media landscape that’s more about entertainment than information and a political system that’s more about money than democracy.

In the meantime, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show—because as long as money is in control, that’s all our elections will be.