What is news?
I totally disagree with Sylvester Brown's article. It was a shock for me to read his column. Is he a journalist for real?????
For years, journalists have been criticized for their role towards community. It seems that their work is not focus anymore in being a real voice for the public. The media seems to be more interested in entertaining the community instead of orienting the public. Unfortunately, news have fallen in that category. But I believe there is always hope!!! As a journalist I feel awful to read Brown's column. How he dares to say that Disneyland is today's news.?????!!!!!
I think true journalists still believe in serving the community. We have a commitment to inform not to entertain. How can the war in Iraq? Or the political problems in Latin America be less important than the Runaway bride? Everything because of money (according to Mr. Brown)
Yes, it is true that a TV network lives from the publicity. But that doesn't mean that as a journalist you forget about your views and your commitment to your public.
Disneyland might be news, but also is Representative Conyers story. It is not fair to say that because "the genre" has changed, we forgot our true duties as journalists.
3 Comments:
I agree with your point that journalists have a duty to serve the public, and that networks' committment to ratings and money have certainly taken precedence as of late. There are some true journalists out there, but who knows if/how often networks are haulting their reports for late breaking news on the runaway brides of the world...
11:55 AM
I have to agree that much of the news seems "Disneyland-esque." With the coverage of the Michael Jackson, OJ Simpson, Britney Spear's pregnancy, and other items of pop culture, we are gradually "dumbing down" the news.
Fox News has it figured out. They give a couple simple points, and on DaySide with Linda Vester, they let the audience comment much like talk radio or (gasp) blogs.
The sad truth is that entertainment sells, not news. Folks would rather hear about the details of Star Wars or the new Coldplay release than substanitive arguments about government or world events.
It's sad, but that seems to be the direction we're heading in now with the mainstream media. (And I'm a major mainstream media fan!)
12:20 PM
I think that Sylvester Brown is using an ironic tone to say it is very difficult to practice good journalism when the newspaper or TV station you work for is owned by a huge media conglomerate with financial interests that may on occasion be in conflict with objective reporting. I believe that Mr. Brown is as angry about the situation as you are.
12:24 PM
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