Author Archives: Siera Whitaker

Corporate interest effects the information we receive by controlling what information gets published and by targeting a specific audience to generate profit.  Therefor, their ability to reach the masses is great and they are able to influence how many people think.  The companies that make up mainstream media are the big corporations with the most well-known names and the most assets and money  in the media industry that deliver news to the public.  Some of these entities include CBS and The New York Times.   These corporations play a major role in determining the focus of society’s attention because they are putting the information out there.  They have the most profit and can advertise as well as control what gets advertised.  They also effect smaller and less known media organizations, sometimes referred to as alternate media, because the topics they discuss trickle down to them.  The topics that are discussed in mass media are often political in nature and have underlying motives not in favor of the general public, and focus to attract the more elite population.

An example of a topic that may be portrayed differently by a mainstream organization than by an alternate organization is the violence surrounding  J’ouvert, a party celebrating Caribbean heritage that takes place in Brooklyn, New York during Carnival before Labor Day’s West Indian Day Parade every year.  In an article published by New York Amsterdam News (an independent news publisher centered on news pertaining the African American community) titled, “Electeds say blame violence, not carnival,” Stephon Johnson discusses how Brooklyn elected officials disagrees with mainstream depictions of  the continuation of J’ouvert as the root cause for the stabbings and shootings surrounding the annual event.  Brooklyn officials and some Brooklyn residents don’t see J’ouvert as a negative, violent-ridden event, but believe in its cultural value and think the party should still continue every year.  They clearly view the violence and the carnival as two separate entities.  New York City Council Member Laurie Cumbo states, “Gun violence in New York City is an epidemic, and it has been an issue for some time.”  However, J. David Goodman’s  article “Violence Casts a Shadow Over a Celebration in Brooklyn,” (published by The New York Times) focuses primarily on J’ouvert as “plagued by violence,” discussing the death of one of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s former aide’s, Carey Gabay,who was shot and killed when a gun feud between rival gangs took place near the J’ouvert party in 2015.  The article provides examples of violence that took place in J’ouvert’s area over several years and seemingly waters down the prevalence of gun violence in New York City.  Goodman states, “…shootings are at near-record lows, 969 people have been shot this year.”