representation of truth- front

In my opinion Frontline is a satirical expose of current affair programs. The way in which truth is expressed in Frontline reminds me somewhat of the game Chinese Whispers. It starts off as a fact, then manipulated, then edited and then spoken out loud to make the audiences believe that what they are hearing is the truth when in actual fact it has past through various people and film techniques to produce a misconstrued “truth” that deceives the audience. This can be intentional distortion of truth or a naive misunderstanding.

Brian Thompson, executive producer, chooses what stories to run and what angle and spin to put on them to add interest to get higher ratings. For example in We Ain’t Got Dames, Mike Moore, the presenter, wants to do a story on sweatshops, Brian Thompson at first says no to Mike Moore suggestions but then with the persistence of Mike Moore, Brian Thompson agrees to cover the story as long as he has the editing rights. What eventually goes to air is more of a “fashion show” rather than hitting on the below award pay in the textile industry issues that Mike had intended to b

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I feel that the majority of the population is starting to become aware of this in actual news programs and media sources, because if each news program told the exact truth as plain as it was why is there the need for several different news programs. I believe that total truth does not exist as every human choose what to say, hear and see.

I also think that image is another key role in the manipulation of truth. Frontline, the series, encourages the public to examine what is happening and where they are getting their information from.

Frontline, the news program, is a prepared show when time is allowed for the crew to decide where to direct the action and therefore “truth”. In We Ain’t Got Dames the shows ratings are down they decide that Mike Moore needs an image change to receive interest from the female viewers they are lacking. Mike Moore is shown as an intelligent, sophisticated, up to date with news man, this is presented by the suit worn, slicked hair and thoughtful “hmm” at the end of each story.

This unit of study “Telling the Truth” has made me more cynical with regard to how truth is portrayed. Frontline hires a director to get a new caring image about Mike Moore across to the female viewers. The outcome is a sappy, fake representation of what the stereotype of females would be interested in a man for example, strolling up the beach, helping mother with children, etc. It demonstrates that what is ”reported” on general news programs is not necessarily “the whole truth and nothing but the truth” but is in accord with the networks philosophy or political trends.

I also find that the only time that the audiences see the real truth is when something goes not to plan for example, Mike’s complete failure at the ABC Comedy Debate (We Ain’t Got Dames), unable to answer simple questions on Burke’s Backyard (Add Sex and Stir). This could perhaps be the reason why reality TV is becoming such a hit due to it being unscripted, unpredictable, and unprepared, therefore the audience receives the true truth…or do they? But even with these reality programs, where the truth is supposed to be the truth and in reality, reality, even what we see on television has been edited into what is usually a 30 minutes program and therefore been through someone’s filter process.

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