Newsworthy. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved August 21, 2008, from Dictionary.com website
–adjective
of sufficient interest to the public or a special audience to warrant press attention or coverage
I've been disappointed in what has masqueraded as headlines the past few weeks. Two particular items of "news" have been especially bothersome.
I'm saddened that our media thinks John Edwards' affair is newsworthy. Not for the reasons you'd imagine, however. What bothers me is the insensitivity towards Elizabeth Edwards. How must that make her feel as she continues her courageous battle with cancer to have her husband's infidelity splashed all over the media? It breaks my heart to think that aspect was never even considered before spilling their private issues all over the television and print screens. He is out of contention, no longer a candidate, and his personal choices are anything but interesting to me. Other than the people sitting back clucking their tongues with "I knew he was shady and too slick" (as if shady and slick also indicate unfaithful?), I fail to see why we needed to know that he cheated on his wife.
Somewhat related to this are the statistics, about 60 percent of men and 40 percent of women will have an affair at some point in some marriage "Monogamy Myth", Therapist Peggy Vaughan. Additionally, 50 percent of Americans say President Clinton's adultery makes his moral standard "about the same as the average married man,'' according to a Time-CNN poll. 61 percent of Americans thought adultery should not be a crime in the US. With these statistics in mind, I have to question WHY it's newsworthy, if John Edwards is keeping with the majority, and 61 percent of Americans don't think it's criminal. Sure what he did was wrong morally, but it should be judged in the privacy of his marriage. It's not news.
The other story that is bothering me is about Michael Phelps father. He's not part of the picture. Period. He hasn't been part of the picture since Michael was 9. Is tracking him down useful to either Michael or him? He has nothing to do with Michael's success other than donating sperm about 23 some years ago. He is not newsworthy, and he is about the only one who seems to recognize that as reporter after reporter has contacted him. He said, this isn't about me. Most common sense refusal to talk I ever heard.
Of course, were common sense common, everyone would have it. From the people seeking the stories, to those providing them, to those broadcasting them and those who listen and want more. And bloggers who write about how much they hate such news stories. *smile*
I agree with what you are saying about the nned of the media to spill things everywhere they can. I recently had a new friend of mine telling me about how when her husband died a couple years ago the media would not leave her alone. She had to stay with friends for about a week because every time she tried to go to her home the media was parked there waiting or her to get her reaction. Whay does the public need to know in such a situation that over rides her right to be able to grief for the loss of her husband in private. Things like this is one reason I rarely watch televised news.
ReplyDeleteI think it makes people feel better about themselves to knock someone else down who appears 'perfect'...that is why they run stories about Edwards affair, because there are many people that Do want to watch that stuff.
ReplyDeleteMagazines and tv shows only run what their audience wants to see...otherwise they would be out of business.
It's merely supply & demand.