Wednesday, September 23, 2009
News in General
So, myself like many Americans enjoy "smut." When I say smut, I mean publications like; In Touch, Life & Style, shows and websites like TMZ or E!. I love smut, it is so interesting to me that millions of Americans have an obsession with a Hollywood star's life or a pop-diva or rapper or athlete. We look at these "news articles" and have some sense of happiness knowing that our lives are not as complicated as those stars or that our spouse is not cheating on us. What is even more fascinating is the spin that the media puts on these stories. They do the same thing in political news as they do in the entertainment news. For example, I enjoy the entertainment website www.mediatakeout.com Now this website is dedicated to urban stars whether they are actors, singers, rappers or athletes. Sometimes this website reports the most inane and useless stories which are just fillers, a picture of Beyonce or Ciara claiming some silly story that gets you to just click on the link for their advertising dollars. What my point is, is that any media outlet is about dollars and what will bring it in. It does not matter what the story is as long as they can put a spin on it to attract readers or viewers, the better. Money makes the world go round and mass media is no different, they are at the top of their game!
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Hey don't pick on my favorite site...but hey we love our capitalism and yea I agree that everything is all about money. I love, love, love mediatakeout.com though because that's the first website I check when I wake up.....just to find out the next gay Rapper.
ReplyDeleteWell said! As much as we would like for the media to deliver more hard news and report the facts, it is highly unlikely that that will ever happen. Entertainment and the latest celebrity gossip is what sells, so why would the media change their ways when what they are doing is increasing their ratings and bringing in more money?! As you mentioned in your post, money is what makes the world go round and mass media is no different. If keeping up with the celebrity lifestyle is what attracts readers and viewers, then why would the media even WANT to change their ways?! Just as with any other American business, money is the ultimate goal and the media will do what they can to increase that goal.
ReplyDeleteWe love our soft news in America, I do too. I agree that all media outlets manipulate thier viewers everybody needs to make some money! Like we learned in class, the media tells us what to talk about so that to influence our other behavior, like to keep checking up on a certain story. It is odd to think what an influence the media has on our thoughts!
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