Cyndi's Two Cents
Tabloid journalism is not journalism
Commentary.
I remember when national network news was a reputable source for news relevant to American viewers. I remember clearly the introductory “sounder” of the nightly newscast that would silence conversation and draw people nearer to the television set.
Sadly, pertinent news content has, for the most part, disappeared. Ethics have gone out the window. Accountability is a thing of the past. Integrity has become obsolete. They call it a news show, but let’s be honest folks, we typically get only one side of an issue and that is the one that further advances the social and political interests of those behind the curtain, controlling the shiny and smiling marionette-newscasters.
The discovery of a few 50-year old photographs of a woman who is not remembered as an award-winning actress, but instead as a sex symbol that posed for Playboy magazine and had an alleged affair with a former president does not qualify as a lead story unless the program is “Entertainment Tonight.” I wonder if the American people realize that since October of 2001, 8,149 U.S. and coalition troops have died and 51,179 have been wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I have to admit, I did not see Matt Lauer’s attack against celebrity chef Paula Deen, but I was horrified, while at the same time, not surprised, when a journalist friend of mine recounted the episode as she had viewed it. Sure, Matt, attack a woman who may or may not have a prejudice bone in her body, but throw a few softballs at anyone involved with the IRS’ targeting of conservative political groups applying for tax-exempt status for closer scrutiny.
It seems to me that every couple of weeks, as if conjured by a coven of tabloid news witches, a movie star punches out a member of the Paparazzi, a child is born to wealthy and unwed socialites, or a child is given a ridiculous name by its wealthy and unwed socialite parents. In what screwed up universe does a national news network assign precious minutes to share that gossip instead of using the time to cover those issues of great relevance to the American public?
Tabloid journalism is not journalism. It is an abomination to the craft. Most of us do not trust mainstream media to present the facts and seek the truth.
The good news is there are many talented journalists out there doing the research and covering all sides of the stories that matter to the people. The bad news is those reporters are less likely to show up in the air chair on the television news set than some yellow journalist whose claim to fame is creating a major food scare that was later proven false.
Instead of presenting the news in a serious authoritative manner, today’s network news anchors often contort their faces in an unnatural manner in an attempt to appear sincere and relational with their audience. They tell us how to feel and what to think and whose side we should be on.
I don’t like it. I don’t like it one little bit.
Good commentary, and I agree 100%. Sickening to see the press releases by special interest groups being regurgitated as fact on newscasts and in so-called news articles.