Lance Morcan

If it__ true that nothing is more potent than an idea, then those who control the media can direct minds en masse.

To Nine__ way of thinking, the problems surrounding the exploitation of coltan in the DRC epitomized the problems the entire African continent faced in capitalizing on the huge untapped wealth that lay beneath its surface. Corruption, political unrest and outside interference from non-African countries ensured the continent that should be the world__ wealthiest remained the poorest.

Manipulating the media is akin to poisoning a nation__ water supply _ it affects all of our lives in unimaginable ways.

The media, like anything else, can be bought. Everything, it seems, has its price. Even the free press.

Unfortunately, mainstream news has become infotainment, sharing more in common with the entertainment industry than with traditional journalism. Gossip, characterizations and injections of drama are subtly infused with facts, altering the truth in a similar way to how dramatists twist true stories to create greater excitement.

Traditional journalism, where reporters deliver information in a balanced and unbiased fashion, is rapidly fading into obscurity. This is especially evident on television where high profile reporters become bigger than the story, delivering news with large dollops of personality and wit _ almost as if they are actors.

Subjective storytelling is now almost as common in the news media as it is in feature films, TV dramas, novels or theater shows. Journalists at their worst are self-centered storytellers who either knowingly or unknowingly bend truths into stories that match their personal beliefs or those of their employers.

All things in Fiji are paid for in blood.