I am momentarily speechless. Here's the story:
http://www.chron.com/news/article/Utah-mayor-used-alias-to-write-upbeat-news-stories-2264370.php
At least someone is noticing...
http://www.deadline.com/2011/11/should-the-fcc-crack-down-on-tv-stations-that-cooperate-on-news-ad-sales-and-retransmission-deals/
Why bother with multiple sources when you don't have multiple outlets?
Showing posts with label fake news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fake news. Show all posts
Monday, November 14, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
Tell me again: Why should I care?
One recurring theme to this blog is my frustration with the entertainmentization of the news by most media—the moving away from relevant news and toward celebrity-focused content. Even though I was too young to appreciate when the news was considered a community service and a public trust, I really miss the concept.
What passes for news these days is not relevant, not news, and not even worth knowing.
Exhibit A: Nonstop coverage of the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, who is accused of causing the singer's death. Even if there were some evil motive behind what happened, as opposed to it being just a tragic mistake, it still wouldn't merit such extreme attention. To whom does this case matter in the real world?
Exhibit B: Breathless coverage of the back entrance to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, because the President of the United States's car would soon be entering. Not newsworthy.
Exhibit C: Top story at noon: famous-for-no-good-reason Kim Kardashian filing for divorce from a white athlete after what must have been a hellish two months of marriage. I'm sick that I even know who this couple is although it gives me an idea for a new policy on giving wedding gifts...
Exhibit D: Allegations that presidential candidate Herman Cain was accused of sexual harassment by two different women 20 years ago. I'm not even going to argue about this story's relevance. My bigger concern is that this story came from one, and only one, source: Politico.com. Yes, the site has a great reputation. But it seems no other media outlets even feel the need to confirm this story with any independent investigations of their own, despite the fact that EVERY ONE OF THEM is retelling this story. That's not reporting, it's repeating. You know, like gossip.
Maybe in addition to having a "Most Popular" category, websites could also introduce a "Most Relevant." Instead of corporate moguls letting individuals decide what is news, howzabout just giving us actual news? And when I want something else, I'll go to TMZ.
What passes for news these days is not relevant, not news, and not even worth knowing.
Exhibit A: Nonstop coverage of the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, who is accused of causing the singer's death. Even if there were some evil motive behind what happened, as opposed to it being just a tragic mistake, it still wouldn't merit such extreme attention. To whom does this case matter in the real world?
Exhibit B: Breathless coverage of the back entrance to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, because the President of the United States's car would soon be entering. Not newsworthy.
Exhibit C: Top story at noon: famous-for-no-good-reason Kim Kardashian filing for divorce from a white athlete after what must have been a hellish two months of marriage. I'm sick that I even know who this couple is although it gives me an idea for a new policy on giving wedding gifts...
Exhibit D: Allegations that presidential candidate Herman Cain was accused of sexual harassment by two different women 20 years ago. I'm not even going to argue about this story's relevance. My bigger concern is that this story came from one, and only one, source: Politico.com. Yes, the site has a great reputation. But it seems no other media outlets even feel the need to confirm this story with any independent investigations of their own, despite the fact that EVERY ONE OF THEM is retelling this story. That's not reporting, it's repeating. You know, like gossip.
Maybe in addition to having a "Most Popular" category, websites could also introduce a "Most Relevant." Instead of corporate moguls letting individuals decide what is news, howzabout just giving us actual news? And when I want something else, I'll go to TMZ.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Et Tu, CBS?
Fake fireworks? Are you kidding me? According to the story below, CBS, once known as the "Tiffany Network," broadcast some embellished fireworks displays from Boston...
http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/07/08/cbs_broadcasts_altered_views_of_bostons_fourth_of_july_fireworks/
Is this really what we've come to now? Real fireworks are deemed not exciting enough by the powers that be so they just fake 'em! The obvious question is, what else that's being broadcast isn't real (that we don't know about)?
At this rate, I'm going to run out of outrage before the new year!
http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/07/08/cbs_broadcasts_altered_views_of_bostons_fourth_of_july_fireworks/
Is this really what we've come to now? Real fireworks are deemed not exciting enough by the powers that be so they just fake 'em! The obvious question is, what else that's being broadcast isn't real (that we don't know about)?
At this rate, I'm going to run out of outrage before the new year!
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