News? What’s that?
As a professor of business, you would believe that those studying any form/type of business would listen to, and be aware of the happenings from around the globe. Sadly, that is not the case. For example… One night I was watching the 11:00 PM news with my wife, which we always try to do before we go to bed, and I noticed something quite early in the broadcast… it was all about the city and state that I lived in. Now… I can hear many of you already stating that this is what people want, and I won’t argue that point one single bit; but… it would also be nice to hear about something else other than the latest traffic accident on the local freeway.
Because of this lack of world news, I’ve turned to cable news outlets such as Fox News and CNN to name but two. Here I found an entirely new and unexpected turn on what is called ‘news’. Don’t get me wrong, I found the ‘world news’ which I was seeking, but also found something else. I began to see and understand the over-reaching attitudes and biases showing their ugly colors through those speaking the news.
Good grief… You don’t like the local TV stations because they don’t give you ANY world news, now you are complaining that cable channels giving you world news but its biased!!! Is anything going to please you??
Yes, actually a lot can please me. I can complain about having only local news and world biases, but I do have other recourses. I realize that if I want/need news; unless I’m actually seeing it firsthand, I need to garner these tidbits of information from others, albeit biased or not sources. Knowing this, I have a better weapon… my ability to look in more than one place for confirmation or additional information on the subject in my ability to ‘fact-check’ so-to-speak. (don’t believe in biased news? Check this out: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&um=1&tab=wn&q=%22biased+news&btnG=Sear...)
In today’s technological world, there are actually claims that the internet provides TOO MUCH information. That is true on many fronts for similar reasons stated above, but it does allow for easy access to a multitude of sources concerning many subjects (http://news.google.com/nwshp?hl=en&ned=&tab=wn)
How many people to you listen to in one day who essentially repeat what they heard on the news, and claim that since it came from a single source such as CNN, or Fox News (or where-ever), it must be true, and don’t you dare argue against them? I’ve heard that plenty, which brings me back to the title of this post itself. What is news?
I don’t portend to claim that the entire meaning of the word ‘news’ be changed, but more importantly, that those listening and reading to that news to be more critical of what is being said. The American Heritage Dictionary describes news as: “Information about recent events or happenings, especially as reported by newspapers, periodicals, radio, or television.” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/news) and journalism as: “the occupation of reporting, writing, editing, photographing, or broadcasting news or of conducting any news organization as a business.” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/journalism). How is it then those reporters… Oops, almost forgot that one… its definition is: “A writer, investigator, or presenter of news stories” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/reporters) don’t understand what their job’s are?
How then are reporters allowed to give opinions and not only facts? Is it not our jobs (those listening to it) to take facts and turn it into information pertinent to us? Is it safe to say that those same ‘journalistic news reporters’ are giving me “A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof.” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/opinions)
And you wonder why I believe that all news has an impact on businesses today? Tell that to the student, parent, child, businessperson who only “heard it through the grape vine” (http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/thebigchill/ihearditthroughthegrapevine.h...), then tell me that based on what you just heard is enough to make any decisions…
It would also be nice if the local news wouldn't update us on britney spears getting out of child custody court as well. I mean I would like some news about something that would affect us all or someone else so that we become aware and help. There are so many things going on in the world that barely get coverage that should be brought into the open. I think the news is not what it used to be.
I agree that the media is very much obsessed with celebrities... its just one nail in their coffin I'd say, but ratings say differently... we are obviously in the minority. If no one wanted to hear about Brittney, then there wouldn't be any news on her. To bad for those of us wishing for other things!
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"Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?” (Sun Tzu)
Right now I'm currently taking a intro to media writing and have learned quite a bit about how the media works. (Now whether I like it or not is a totally different topic). But because of the internet and its ability to provide an endless amount of information RIGHT NOW! like people want it, local news stations take the approach of providing as much local news as possible and driving it into the ground. Same goes for local newspapers although they still provide some international news via news feeds. And as far as the big television news providers, against all journalism code of ethics, its all about the money. The money drives the stories. And the stories drive the people. I'm afraid to say it is a vicious cycle.
I would agree that money drives all businesses. I hope that your time in this media class at a minimum allows you to see and use that info/knowledge to (perhaps) change something concerning the "vicious cycle" you spoke of!
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"Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?” (Sun Tzu)