the questions the students asked and those raised by the anchors. None of the questions from these news professionals concerned the impact that legislation or politics on peoples lives (Fallows 22)." Fallows goes on to say "...the questions concerned the pure game of-- the struggle among candidates interest mainly in their own advancement (Fallows 23)." Even with the opportunity to ask questions that concern peoples lives the media would rather talk about only the tactics of politics, barely skimming the surface of the real important issues that affects common peoples lives. The news media, to many Americans, is a source of impartiality and a way to hear both sides of the story. Contrary to those popular beliefs, personal beliefs and economic interests do not only persuade the news media. Fallows gives many examples of public icons that have stated facts that had hidden agendas. The first example I will use, that Fallows brings up an event that happened in May 1995. A man named George Will wrote a column and made on-air comments scorning President Clinton and his administration for planning to place tariffs on Japanese cars focusing on the Lexus. On the Brinkley show Will said that the tariffs would be "illegal" and would amount to "a subsidy for Mercedes dealerships". Fallows goes on to say, "Neither in his column nor on the show did Will disclose that his wife, Mari Maseng, had been paid some $200,000 as a registered foreign agent for the Japan Automobile Manufacturers.... (Fallows 37-38)". To the public Will seems to be a creditable source of information, sharing his knowledge to the world as a way to do good for society. Unbeknownst to the viewers, Will was looking out for himself and his wife, not the overall good of the people. Many people speck about issues having only one agenda in mind... their own. Another example is one that happened with a large airline and three newspapers. "Last May the New York Times, the Wa...
