I’m pretty fed up with hearing about all the bad things that are happening to companies in this country. The news channels and newspapers are full of doom and gloom. Look at how much media coverage Woolworths demise got. Did you know that the food store Iceland has bought 51 former Woolworths stores and is planning to create 2,500 jobs? Possibly not, because the media coverage that this fantastic piece of news received is completely disproportionate with coverage given to the doom and gloom stories.
This morning, I’ve also heard that Poundland is opening 30 new stores in 2009 which will create 1,000 new jobs. I wonder how much coverage this story will be given. It seems to me that the media are only interested in bad news, presumably because only bad news sells, and that is rather a sad reflection of the state of humanity.
Britain is in recession – no doubt about that. Businesses will fail as a result – sure. But, how bad does it need to be? Recessions can be a time of opportunity for those businesses that know how to take advantage of it. It could almost be seen as a sort of natural selection that will leave behind only the well-managed and stable companies. This is no comfort to employees of the failing businesses though. And, what about all the people that are still in work and earning money – the vast majority of us? It would seem that we are less willing to save money, because we are all suffering with a media induced panic that we could be next.
Think about it though:
Petrol is cheaper because the price of oil has crashed. We are now paying 36p less per litre for unleaded than we were when the prices peaked last year. I save £21.60 every time I fill my tank. And those oil prices will in turn bring down our home energy bills too. Groceries are becoming cheaper again too. Stores are desperate for business, and there are great deals to be had everywhere. There has never been a better time to buy a new car! So why keep your money in the bank? They are paying naff all interest now, and for all you know, the banks will go under too.
By believing all the media sensationalist scaremongering and keeping our cash in our pockets, we make the situation worse. If you are keeping hold of your money because you are worried about losing your job, think about the effects of doing so. If no-one spends money, then there won’t be any jobs. We have to carry on as normal.
It really riles me that the BBC insist on calling it “The Downturn”. They have all their nice downturn logo and graphics. Rubbish! It’s a recession. On the one hand they want to scare the living crap out of people, and on the other they seem to be unable to call it what it is. Very bizarre.
It seems to me that the media just make bad situations worse. What we need right now is a news station to cut through all the nonsense figures, statistics and political bickering, and give us the truth. Helpful advice about how to mitigate the effects of the recession and lots of publicity surrounding companies that are doing well and expanding.
I couldn’t agree more ! Let’s start a “good news only” web site and give people a platform for telling their good news !
Thank you – the voice of reason! I’ve been saying this for ages
Exactly how i see it! the media scares people into saving their money which just puts this crazy situation into a loop! Couldn’t have put it better really!
I’m in full agreement.And notice that they were talking things down YEARS! before the event..The media named it the “credit crunch”.
You have to ask why? I believe one reason. The obvious component is greed. Much like the erroneous bankers, estate agents and various others who turned a blind eye.
Secondly, notice how they tend to convey comment rather then actual facts. Where in a recession end of story.
They want to express there theories ,solutions, all of which are in hindsight.
Third, they are in some kind of symbiotic relationship with politicians, both the media and politics are big business, each feeding off the other. Notice how most media time is spent on politicians and politics, they appear on game shows, chat shows day time tv…its perverse.
Democracy is dead my friends we live in a MEDIOCRACY, Where there is no boundary between the media and politics..something the Nazi’s where exstremely proud of.
proof : Alistair Campbell . An unelected head of party communications for Tony Blair was practically commissioning policy based on polling feedback.
West minster politicians refer to the Westminster village- effectively politics now is a process conducted between the media and politicians.
Effectively what we have is a “global elite” developing and like any elite they want to retain a status quo in effect a new aristocracy.
Notice how they refer to it all as liberal democracy? Consider this:
What real use do ID Cards have in a which puts all its core services on the internet, exposed to attack from anywhere in the world.
I personally think this recession was engineered.
Im an engineer and designer and i can tell for a fact..the increased capability of information technology has the inevitable effect of causing employment because of increased automation, intergated manufacturings end game is the fully automated factory which can effectively manufacture complex products with minimal human intervention
They are playing a dangerous game with society.
Also, and i know this sounds harsh. but the immigration of unskilled labour from third world countries is DESIGNED to cause distraction and social unrest to the indigenous population.
Why? so there is someone to blame other then the politicians.. why else would you allow millions of unskilled labour in to country if not for that.
There has always been a global economy the vikings the celts etc traded with the chin ease and in turn the chinease traded with other parts of the world in particular africa and Europe. The Romans WITH ALMOST everyone else.
So when they say the Global Economy is collapsing, what they mean is the top 1% of the planets wealthy got way to greedy .. and where saving THEM from peril, not the man in the street. But its the Media’s Job to tell you the reverse.
Just some points to consider. IF YOU WANT TO KEEP DEMOCRACY- BE PREPARED TO BE CALLED A TERRORIST FOR SPEAKING YOUR MIND.
P.S
in 2004 I began developing a design system software and hardware based which would allow SME compete in designing and developing new products.. i went , in innocence to a few universities who have close ties with the uk government , for potential assisatance.
Since then I have been “black listed” from working in design and engineering in the uk i have not been able to get ANY WORK. Yet i was able to get a contract phone with no credit rating- that phone was and still is tapped (im a bloody good engineer) my REFUSES TO ASSIST and ive been warned of “dark people” by prominent friend whose in international buisness who is to frightened to give me work.
Why because the system works and i refused to develop it on a operating platform commonly used by the US. in short they wanted me to develop it for use in A.I based weapons systems.
The only reason i mention now is due to the change in the us government.
Our home business was really affected by the Economic recession, we have to cut jobs just to cover up our losses. fortunately, we have already recovered. ~