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MEDIA
News blurred with entertainment

Sweeps week. Yet another excuse for blatant sensationalism and pathetic attempts at journalism.

While networks are stranding people on deserted islands or trying to match-make beauty with the belch, truth has become an obscure idea hidden by the search for drama.

From the exclusive interviews to the made-for-TV-movies, reporting the story objectively has turned into reporting a similar version of the story with as much emotional angst and sex appeal as possible. News becomes confused with entertainment. The truth is stretched “just a little” to make it more appealing to viewers. Viewers, in turn, are taught that juicy gossip equals news.

Our media personalities add to the fun. The catfight between Diane Sawyer and Katie Couric for Elizabeth Smart was almost as interesting as the interview itself. The pricey scramble for the hottest story is what’s really newsworthy. When is a kidnapping so important that it warrants an hour of primetime, in which everyone but the victim recounts the events?

The media that so judiciously brought to light the accounts of such sensationalized cases, such as the Menendez brothers or Joey Buttafucco, fail to give as much coverage to news more integral to our existence and futures.

This is exactly why stories that cater to our sadistic desire to hear about the grotesque and idiotic are played up for ratings’ sake. The public, immersed in the fantasy of reality-TV, becomes increasingly susceptible to the loss of value in the media. For us, ogling the misfortunes of others is easier than facing our own.