Is it just me or has anyone else noticed how much more closely main-stream media (MSM) is mirroring ATS and other alternative news web sites?

When I first started lurking at ATS this past summer, I really did not notice a signifcant number of similar stories being covered on ATS as well as the MSM but now I notice it at least every-other day. I am very watchful of the MSM and I really think I would have picked up on it before now if it was an existing trend.

Is this pattern indicative of the fact that more and more people are dubious of main-stream media sources and therefore MSM is trying harder to capture an audience and is more willing to push the alternative news envelope? Or is it that ATS has become more main-stream due to its growing membership? Or (gasp!) is it an indication that people are "waking up" to the fact that all is not necessarily how it seems in the world?

A few of the bigger stories I have noticed recently:

- The Israeli strike on Syrian nuke facilities (broke about 3 - 4 weeks ago on ATS but is just now getting picked up by main-stream sources)

- The B-52 / missing nukes (broke on ATS at least a few days before main-stream sources)

- Morgellons (broke on ATS eons ago but in the MSM this week)

There are countless smaller examples that I am sure other ATS members would notice as well.

Another thing that I have noticed is that, recently, there seems to be two primary types of threads started on ATS. Ridiculous conjecture or what I call "tabloid" threads (reptilians, demons, unverifiable personal experiences and opinions) and "breaking news stories" already covered elsewhere by the MSM or other sources. Both of these types of threads aren't typically framed in a context that would lead to any real discussion or debate. Just reporting and opinion that results in arguments and personal attacks.

I think this needs to be corrected. I think the criteria for posting in certain categories may need refinement or better enforcement. What that looks like I don't know but as evidence of this point, the definition of "breaking news" is posted in the forum on almost a daily basis. Also, I notice a decline in science-oriented threads, with the exception of those related to space exploration and earth changes.

Any thoughts on this ATS?

[edit on 14/10/2007 by kosmicjack]

[edit on 14/10/2007 by kosmicjack]

Interesting Read. Thanks.


1. Conspiracy Theory & Ufology are no longer underground

Since Internet, this stuff is not really as underground as many would like to have it. Ive seen many examples of this. One of my average-joe clients doesnt believe we ever went to the moon. A waitress I got to know, doesnt buy the official 911 story. I know a guy who works for as a TV-presenter for a major news corporation who would like more UFO-reports in his show. This is bad news for the conspiracy-people who think they have priveleged information and are so much higher than the average sheeple.

2. Breaking News entries allow a member to gather the most points.

I think this is done so that the site also gets a bit of a realistic touch among all the madness and speculation.

Therefore: Both of your "either or" ideas are correct.

Originally posted by kosmicjack
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed how much more closely main-stream media (MSM) is mirroring ATS and other alternative news web sites?

No its just you.
May I ask whereabouts you live

Any thoughts on this ATS?

All of the examples you mention WERE on the Main Stream Media, I mean how do you think they got on here if they werent mentioned elsewhere?

I must say that your US News services are very Amero Centric and tend to ignore what goes on in the rest of the world.

Good thread, man. Exactly what I was saying. We owe it to our diligent peers. Some of these guys go out of their way to find some relatively confidential news articles. I'm really glad I'm a part of all this. I went from being on here maybe an hour or two a day to at least 6 hours on a slow day. It's amazing how addictive knowledge is.

I see 0 mainstream or even local news following ATS.

I have yet to here mainstream put some guy on who says the world will end this date and when it doesn't happen he has the balls to pick another date.Pretty much everyday has been called doomsday on here.

I have yet to hear about the majority of topics covered here,aliens paranormal all that good stuff.

THEY NEVER talk anout NWO and so on.

What exactly do you mean?lol

Completely agree.

The breaking news area looks an awful lot like the Drudge Report if you ask me!

Not that anyone did of course.

The breaking news area looks an awful lot like the Drudge Report if you ask me!

lol. drudge is one of the leading internet 'journalists' even though all he does is report other peoples reports before they hit the MSM (in america). look at the clinton sex scandal.
though i think drudge is politically motivated he is always posting peoples criticism of himself which i think is very noble.

It's getting a mainstream audience which is subscribing to non-mainstream thoughts. Three years ago there wasn't secret space station, moon theories, clouds are lagging, holograms and Micronuke theories.

Argh.

It's the way things work these days - the media has taken a far greater interest in the internet than the political establishment.

There are reporters who do actually listen to bloggers and forum posters, maybe they share the fact that what we say and discuss are quite important topics - however the deal is that they won't go along with something that isn't provable - or reasonable, at least.

As for the NWO stories...

They're being just as cautious as i'd expect them to be.

this is fairly obvious from the recent '5th November' revolution threads that have been popping up on ATS.... by the sounds of the replies it seems that ATS is going main-stream in some kind of way wont be long b4 this place becomes a wash of crap stories and un-needed spam... shame really