Over and over I am told that the Jewish People control the media in the U.S. Is this true , what media outlets do they actually control?
We control everything.
Now be good and you won’t get in trouble.
Err, it’s too late.
We control the SDMB message board.
BEWARE!!
Dumb 30-minute sitcoms produced for the networks.
I dunno about the U.S., but in Canada we have Izzy Asper. He’s the majority shareholder in the company that owns the Global TV network, and several newspapers.
But he’s smart enough not to dictate what goes on air or in print, aside from the occasional editorial support Israel or the Liberal party.
No, it’s not.
GQ answered.
While individual people of Jewish heritage may have ownership in various media outlets, Jewish People as a group don’t control anything.
Is this the answer to your question or is your real “question” an attempt to start an ignorant flame war? It won’t happen here so if that’s the case I suggest you find another sand box in which to play.
Haj
;j–(Yep, I control it all!)
(I’ve been wanting an excuse to use that smilie ;)).
Sigh.
In the early days of the development of the media (like, movies), this was considered a marginal profession. “Nice” people didn’t make movies. Hence, marginalized people, like Jewish emigrants in the early 1900s, were heavily involved in the development of the industry. Entertainment per se – vaudeville, radio comedians, etc – was viewed as “lower class” and “not respectable”, and hence again, Jews found openings, where often they were excluded from other jobs.
Thus, there came to be a disproportionately high number of Jews involved in movies and television, both at the ownership level and as comedians (Marx Brothers, Jack Benny, etc etc).
There is a major difference between saying that there is a disproportionatly high number of Jews involved in media (TV and movies), and saying that Jews “control” the media. There are a disproportionately large number of blacks in basketball, but one would not say that blacks “control” basketball. There are a disproportionatly high number of Italians in the restaurant business, but one would not say that Italians control the food industry.
The myth of a Jewish-controlled media is often raised by the lunatic fringe groups, as an explanation of why they are not more popular. “Damn it, if the Jews didn’t control the media, every white man in the country would join our Klu Klux Klan, we’re just not allowed to get the message out.” Much easier to blame the Jews than to acknowledge that you are part of the lunatic fringe.
NadaHappyCamper, the idea that Jews control the media is an oft-repeated lie perpetuated, so far as I can tell, by white supremacist groups, or other bastions of intolerance.
I am unaware of any particular concentration of Jewish ownership in media organizations.
In general, if someone makes a claim, it’s up to them to provide the proof. If I say that Strom Thurmond was the triggerman for the JFK assasination, for example, I can’t win my point by telling you to prove it isn’t true, nor do I win by saying, “Hey, everyone knows it.” Since I’m the one advancing the claim, the burden of proof lies with me. I have to trot out the specific evidence implicating Strom.
The same reasoning applies here. The next time someone tells you that “the Jewish people control the media in the U.S.,” you should ask the for their specific evidence. What people, specifically? And how do they do it?
With that evidence in hand, examine it. What’s the source? Is there bias in the source? Is is verifiable?
If nothing else, post whatever evidence you uncover here. This board is full of people who are able to debunk falsehoods, and confirm the truth. We’d be happy to assist.
- Rick
I hadn’t considered C K Dexter Haven’s scenario.
To the extent it’s true, it sounds as though Jewish ownership of media came about by Jewish entrepeneurs making lemonade of lemons. In other words, they were not permitted into respectable professions, and made the best out of what they had.
It reminds me of a joke about the plight of Russian Jews.
In the old Soviet Union, meat was scare, and when there was a rumor that the local butcher shop was going to have meat, the line began forming at 5:00 AM. The butcher came out at 6:00 and announced, “There won’t be enough meat for everyone. All Jews - leave the line!”
At 9:00 he came out again to announce that the meat they’d be getting was still less than expected. “All those not members of the Party must leave the line.”
At 11:00 he came out again. Still less meat was expected. “All single people must leave the line. Only those with families will get meat today.”
Finally, at 2:00 in the afternoon, he came out again. “Go home, everyone,” he said. “There will be no meat at all today.”
One Russian still left in line turned to his comrade. “You see?” he exclaimed. “Those Jews - they get the best of everything.”
- Rick
We do? Where’s my cut?
Miss Creant:
Assuming, based on your user name, that you’re female…you don’t get a “cut” in Judaism. We men got ours at 8 days old. 
Chaim, I knew there was a reason I liked you … you’re evil!
As a slight tangent to the OP, the myth of jewish-controlled media is similar to the reason behind the “rich jew bankers and diamond-merchants” concept, and indeed most professions where jews are prevalent. For those, each was a profession looked down upon by Christian society – especially banking, and its relationship to usury and money-lending – so no self-respecting gentile would take the job. Jews arriving in Christian lands were already marginalized and unloved, so they had to do whatever it took to support their families. These wide-open but shunned professions were the answer.
“But wait,” you say. “That may have been true hundreds of years ago, but today’s world is very different and much more open.” True enough. The answer may be found in a song from Fiddler on the Roof: tradition. Everybody wants their kids to go into the family business, no matter what religion they follow. If your family has been bankers or whatnot for the past 300 years (or even the past 50), you’d feel the pressure to follow suit. This is especially true for gemcutters and merchants, who train via apprenticeship.
Bricker, that was a great joke. Even better than cmkeller’s.
damn it! you boys get EVERYTHING!!
FEH!
Sorry, hon. Would it make you feel better if I offered to share?