An Argument Regarding Propaganda and Capitalism

[Deleted]

I.  All for-profit enterprises in a free market, capitalist society that have the inherent potential to seriously harm the public welfare (utilities, extractive industries, banking, pharmaceuticals, transportation, etc.) require a reasonable degree of regulation-- in the public interest.

II.  Most of the modern mass media is a for-profit enterprise that has the inherent potential to harm the public welfare.

III.  Therefore, the modern mass media requires a reasonable degree of regulation-- in the public interest.

[Walter]

That implies that an idea or a statement or other such thing that the mass media produces is a tangible object of some kind.
Your suggestion begs the, "What thing is not like the others" question when we insert 'mass media' into the group.

[Deleted]

Mar 4, 2019 20:25:59 GMT -5 Walter said:

That implies that an idea or a statement or other such thing that the mass media produces is a tangible object of some kind.
Your suggestion begs the, "What thing is not like the others" question when we insert 'mass media' into the group.

Walter,

    The public welfare is impacted by a wide array of goods and services, including information.  Is information a "tangible" product, in your definition?

    The fact is, we already have laws (regulations) to protect the public from some forms of bad information-- as in the case of false advertising for certain products.

     We used to have a Fairness Act, until Reagan abolished it in 1988, requiring news corporations to give equal coverage to Democrats and Republicans on political issues.

     If anything good comes out of the Trump Debacle in America, it should be a careful,  honest appraisal of the disastrous consequences of, 1) the abolition of the Fairness Act  and  2)  Citizens United.   d    dr