Ep 191: How Media's Use of 'The Economy' Flattens Class Conflict
Nov 1, 2023
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Media's use of 'the economy' flattens class conflict, overlooks the growing issues of homelessness and poverty. The ambiguity and control of 'the economy' by the powerful is discussed. Media's framing of strikes and exaggerated estimates on economic losses are highlighted. The flaws in official unemployment rates as a measure of economic recovery are discussed. The perception of strikes shaped by media framing and the challenges faced by workers in low-wage jobs are explored. Metal genre, freelance work, black lung crisis, and book research are also discussed. The flattening of class conflict through the notion of 'the economy' is examined.
The media's emphasis on the economic consequences of strikes often overlooks the hardships faced by striking workers themselves.
Strikes are a strategic tool used by workers to demand fair treatment and improved working conditions, but the media tends to misrepresent them as a threat to the economy.
There is a disconnect between the portrayal of a strong economy in the media and the lived experiences of many working-class individuals, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of economic inequality.
Deep dives
Different Economies and Class Divisions
There is a distinction between the economy experienced by the working class and the economy controlled by the wealthy elite. While the economic impact of strikes is often portrayed negatively in the media, it is important to recognize that the burden falls on the striking workers themselves. Workers face financial hardships, loss of health insurance, and the risk of unpaid bills while their employers continue to receive pay and benefits. The media's emphasis on the economic consequences of strikes overlooks the fact that it is the workers who sacrifice and bear the brunt of the hardship. By acknowledging the differences in economies and class divisions, reporters can provide a more accurate and nuanced understanding of labor unrest.
Burden of Strikes on Workers
Strikes have tangible consequences for workers and their families. During strikes, workers do not receive a paycheck, they may lose health insurance, and they face financial uncertainty. The burden of strikes falls on the workers themselves, who take on all the risks in the hope of achieving long-term benefits. While disruptions to the economy may occur during strikes, the workers themselves experience the immediate hardship. It is important to recognize the sacrifices made by striking workers and the challenges they face in demanding fair treatment and improved working conditions.
Misrepresentation of Strikes and Economic Impact
There is a tendency in the media to present strikes as a threat to the economy, portraying striking workers as destructive or unreasonable. This misrepresentation ignores the fact that strikes are a strategic tool used by workers to disrupt the normal flow of production in order to demand fair treatment. The focus on the economic impact of strikes overlooks the economic hardships faced by workers themselves. Headlines rarely discuss the potential gains for workers or the long-term benefits of improved wages and working conditions. By shifting the narrative and recognizing the motivations and sacrifices of striking workers, the media can provide a more accurate portrayal of labor strikes.
Different Perceptions of the Economy
There is a disconnect between the perception of the economy as portrayed in the media and the lived experiences of many workers. While the media often touts positive economic indicators such as low unemployment rates, many working-class individuals continue to experience financial stress and struggle to meet basic needs. The focus on macroeconomic indicators fails to capture the hardships faced by individuals and communities. Acknowledging the difference in perceptions and understanding the realities of economic inequality can lead to a more nuanced and accurate portrayal of the economy.
The Importance of Recognizing Labor History
The podcast highlights the general misconception that workers' rights were simply handed down to them by benevolent bureaucrats. It emphasizes the need to acknowledge and understand the radicalism of the labor movement in the past and its impact on shaping workers' rights today. By recognizing the struggles and sacrifices of previous generations, people may feel more empowered to advocate for their own economic destinies and demand better conditions in the workplace.
Media's Role in Misrepresentation and Lack of Understanding
The podcast discusses the biased framing of labor issues by the media, specifically the corporate media, which often prioritizes the interests of the elite and lacks empathy for working-class individuals. It points out that the media often fails to comprehend the complexities and nuances of workers' experiences and tend to perpetuate stereotypes. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of supporting independent and progressive media outlets that provide a more accurate and informed representation of labor issues and workers' struggles.
“Writers Strike Fallout: $2B Economic Impact May Be Just the Beginning,” the Hollywood Reporter states. “Looming UAW strike could cost US economy more than $5B in just 10 days,” Fox Business announces. “In a Strong Economy, Why Are So Many Workers on Strike?” the New York Times wonders.
We’re regularly exposed to news media’s updates on some vague notion of “the economy.” Though it’s never really defined, “the economy,” we are told, is something that will suffer if a work stoppage happens, even though striking workers might stand a chance to reap some real economic benefits. It’s also something that somehow does just fine, even thrives, despite rising homelessness, poverty, food insecurity, and general stress and anxiety among the public about their ability to afford basic needs.
Against all of this, pundits wonder why people in the US have doubts about the strength of the economy, when, by their standards, it’s doing so well. But when “the economy” is at odds with the interests of the working public, what does that tell us about media’s understanding and use of the term? Whose interests are truly reflected in mainline media’s definitions, or lack thereof, of the economy?
On this episode, we examine media’s use of the term and concept of “the economy,” looking at how and why metrics reflecting the interests of capital– like the GDP, the Dow, or IMF reports–are positioned as more important and accurate indicators of economic strength than metrics reflecting the needs of the average person. And how “the economy” is presented as a fragile precious thing that striking workers, protestors, and those seeking to interrupt the normal flow of life want to avoid damaging, at all costs.
Our guest is writer Kim Kelly.
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