Have you noticed how members of the media in America today are like a pack of voracious vampires who, given the slightest whiff of blood, attack a story and won’t let go of it for days or weeks, until they’ve sucked it so dry that there’s nothing left?
Whether it’s the death of Michael Jackson or the infidelity of South Carolina governor, Mark Sanford, they are never content to simply report a story and then move on. Oh no! Neighbors are interviewed. Emails are hacked. Experts and pseudo-experts give their opinions ad infinitum until I just want to scream! I watch the same national news shows every morning, and for the past week it’s just the same things over and over with maybe a new detail here or another speculation there. And I’ve no doubt that this will continue until they find a new victim to eviscerate.
Do they really think the general public is salivating to hear the juiciest bit of dirt and the most personal secrets of people in the public eye to satisfy some sick “need to know?” Or, is it more self-serving than that? Do each of them hope that they’ll be the one to discover that one shocking tidbit that will propel their career to the top?
I believe that somewhere along the line the general media has lost its way. There’s important news and then there’s this gossipy tabloid-like reporting in which nothing is off limits and no question is considered too intrusive. I’ve seen many a famous anchor person shove a microphone in the face of someone who has just had a loved one murdered or who has lost everything in the world to a hurricane or flood and ask, “So, how do you feel?” IT PISSES ME OFF! I always end up yelling at the TV, “How do you think they feel, you idiot?” Is it really news to broadcast someone’s private sorrow? I personally find it painful. What kind of country are we becoming, anyhow?
If I sound like I’m on a rant, it’s because I am. Call me old-fashioned, but I miss the days when reporters were people of honor and reported hard news and didn’t behave like junior high gossips who, upon discovering a scandal, can’t wait to grab the first passerby, whisper in their ear and murmur, “Pass it on!” There used to be a clear line between credible news agencies and Hollywood gossip shows like “Entertainment Tonight” and “TMZ.” But lately that line is fading fast, and I, for one, think it’s a shame!
Thanks, I feel better now.
Amen sister!
100 percent with ya! If I hear just one more thing about Michael Jackson — except that they’ve buried him — I’m going to have a fit! An absolute fit.
What is insulting, at least to me, is that they were out for his blood when he was alive and he went through a whole pariah period. Why all of a sudden in death is he all the news all the time? If everyone loved this man so much, why didn’t they show him while he was ALIVE?!
Two-faced media!
You got that sooo right! I’ve turned off the TV, and the radio and put on my CDs until this feeding frenzy is over. MJ was just an entertainer. That’s it.
Over and out.
Yesterday morning I was watching one of the morning shows. Their “hard news” sources were TMZ and EXTRA! (no kidding). So that’s where the hard news folks go now for their top stories?! I agree – something is seriously wrong with this blurring of news & sensationalism!