News?

Skye Englund

Television news in Los Angeles sensationalizes their stories or turns them into gossip. A headline such as STORM WATCH 2002 evokes images of thunder, lightning and torrential rain when in fact it should read, DEW WATCH: TARGET L.A. Clearly this strategy is designed to get higher ratings by attracting more people. Gossip attracts more viewers than legitimate news; therefore the local news stations prostitute themselves to please their audience.

Much of the time a story is blown way out of proportion and is not relevant to the public. For instance, do the news stations have to tell about the Kobe Bryant’s trial every 30 minutes? It wouldn’t be that bad if it wasn’t the same information over and over again. When there is new information like a new trial date they say it braking news and interrupt the best part of the show you are currently fascinated by at the moment. Sometimes the issues are interesting but unimportant. Shouldn’t our news organizations give us a broader perspective of the world instead of feeding us the same topics? Why do we gape at this infotainment? Stories are played over and over again until they’re engraved into our minds driving us like zombies to lust for the next twist. Mass hypnosis makes us believe that a phrase like “fair and balanced” accurately portrays the opinionated brow-beating endured by guests who appear on the show when the host gives his “I can shout louder than you can and I’m morally superior” agenda. Corporate-backed talking heads pimp, mindless dribble to the dumbed-down masses, dulling our intellect and lowering our standards. Integrity is a disposable byproduct and truth is an elastic wrapper used to put a bow on their point of view.

News commentators tantalize us to stay tuned for gory details after the commercial break. But when they finally reveal the amazing story, it is profoundly under-whelming. We are told that the public wants to know about Kobe Bryant and Scott Peterson. Issues are drenched with drama by grieving family members just moments after the death of a loved one. Next comes the panel of experts who spin the subject like the mad teacups at Disneyland. The frosting on the cake is provided by yet another commentator who promises even more amazing garbage at 11:00.

Our society has become addicted to sensational information. We want a rush, and like any drug, the more we take, the more we need. Drug dealers thrive in this environment as do of course the capitalistic, cannibalistic mega-corporations that manufacture, chop, cut, dry, package, market and sell this poisonous info-substance called news.