Evolution of Independent and Participatory Media

With every media context, there is always a flip side to any statement/s made. Through the power of the media people began to speak out about their own views on the climate change and on Al Gore’s speech.

Even negative opinions become a part of the evolution of an independent and participatory media. People are still becoming involved to voice what they think is right.

A host from the American news company CNN, Glenn Beck, became such a critic back in June 2006 where he compared Gore’s speech to one of Hitler’s. Beck dismissed many of the conclusions drawn from the documentary by stating that “when you take a little bit of truth and then you mix it with untruth, or your theory, that’s where you get people to believe. You know? It’s like Hitler.” (The Glenn Beck Program, 7 June 2006).

On the media critic website, Rotten Tomatoes, the audience are able to rate and voice their opinions of the film. Overall the audience’s view of the film was a remarkable 75% of who liked it. Some of the user generated comments include those believing the films important and urgent message, and some left wondering what the whole thing is about.

Examples of some of the comments:

“Just because truths are inconvenient is no reason to suppose they are not real” (Peter Rainer, ‘Rotten Tomatoes, 14 October 2006)

“Powerful, intelligent and surprisingly entertaining. Gore presents a compelling case. You’ll believe a film can change the world” (Helen OHara, Rotten Tomatoes, 23 September 2006)

“If Gore’s purpose is to seriously spread the word and wake the world up to the dangers of Global Warming, then he would do well to not alienate half his audience. But then, since I don’t really believe the point of this movie is to spread the word about Global Warming but rather to spread the word about himself, it does him no harm to try to score a few points against the Republicans.” (Scott, Three Movie Buffs, 25 November 2006)

In a way Al Gore’s mission to raise awareness of Global Warming was successful. Whether there were positive or negative feedback within the media, the word was still out there. People were still becoming involved and forced to decided which side they thought was “right”.

Media Matters (CNN speech): http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200606080005

Rotten Tomatoes: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/inconvenient_truth/

Three Movie Buffs: http://www.threemoviebuffs.com/review/inconvenienttruth