Headline News
| October 20th, 2008 by Robert | Word Count: 771 | Reading Time 3:11 | 2,583 views |
What do you consider headline news? Personally, I think headline news is reserved for stories or live reports from events which have direct and immediate impact in our lives. The rest is news yes, but headline news? Today, while catching up on the latest world news, I hopped on CNN’s website and I was treated with some important headline news… news about the Federal Reserve chairman testifying before Congress that an additional economic stimulus package may in fact be needed to avert a worsening economy. In addition, I was able to catch up on the latest campaign politics and talking point issues amongst our leading candidates… very worthy of headline news and deserved bullet points. Finally, one of the major headlines coming out over the weekend was treated to a bullet a bit further down the list… the announcement of Colin Powell endorsing Barack Obama for President.
However, after a few of these “real” news items were exhausted, I was treated to “headline news” involving the impending divorce of Madonna from her husband, a report about a soldier’s dog returning home, and even a major story about a delayed Playstation game because of a music track within the game. I’ll be fair… CNN’s website actually lists the bulleted topics under their section labeled “Latest News.” While it’s not specifically labeled Headline News, it is in fact, their depiction of the most important, time sensitive information that the public needs to be informed about.
Maybe I’m being a bit too judgmental. Madonna’s divorce is a big deal to some even if I can’t name a single person that cares. Maybe her divorce is a story because there appears to be some issue between the two individuals revolving around Madonna’s belief in Kabbalah? Well, that would make it a story now wouldn’t it? It’s not “just” a divorce of a high profile celebrity. It’s a story about something that’s potentially charged with a newsworthy religious angle. The story about the soldier’s dog returning home? Well, news wouldn’t be news without at least one bullet point associated to our current war in Iraq and/or Afghanistan. No car bomb or civilian murders to report today? Let’s go with the feel good story then…
This brings me to the headline news bullet point of the Playstation game being delayed because of a musical track. Initially, you may think that it may have something to do with profanity or non-licensed material included, but you would be wrong. The issue revolves around a particular track that may offend Muslims. A musical track in the game contains words from the Islamic holy text, the Quran. Feeling the politically correct pressure, the game designer and distributor were forced to pull the product and delay the launch so they could remove the “offensive” track. Oh, now I get it. The delayed Playstation game receives headline news status because of the issue within… a potentially offensive musical track which “might” be offensive to Muslims.
Sometimes we are just trying too hard to be politically correct. While being overly correct, we are actually offending many. If our news agencies truly believe that headline status should be given to this particular subject matter, what are their angles? Most news today isn’t objective and is inherently biased by the conglomerate media giants. Given that ratings equal additional revenue, their reward is viewership and readership counts. They give a “best effort” at real news reporting, but they generally focus upon hot topic issues within society and not actual news. Let’s face it. “Real” news is boring when done correctly because it’s based upon facts and reported without sensationalistic undertones.
Knowing this, the media giants focus upon divisive issues and also hot point terms to instigate clicks, buys, and channel attention. We hear real news, but we don’t listen. When we hear hot button issues such as Kabbalah, Muslim/Islam, and Iraq, we listen. Some listen because they want to make sure their issue isn’t being treated negatively, others listen because they want the issue to be treated negatively, and others are just intrigued by the issue and want to know what all the fuss is about. Tell me honestly, are you more likely to listen to the Federal Reserve chairman testify about our economy or read about how much money Madonna’s husband may get in a settlement and find out how Kabbalah may be the root of their problems? One is intensely boring but very much headline news while the other is entertaining and not headline news but given the same status by the news agency. News is not news anymore. It’s an entertainment avenue.
Citation: http://www.cnn.com/
on October 20th, 2008 at 7:45 pm:
So very true!!! It’s shameful really. And all the politically correct crap.. makes me furious! It’s politically correct if it’s something they believe in… if not.. HEY, IT’S MY FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT”! Please!
Like you said.. news means NOTHING now! When I do read it, I get sick to my stomach for all the evil that is going on and disgusted because of all the biased sides that are reported on different topics.
on October 20th, 2008 at 9:56 pm:
I’ve never been one to adhere to the politically correct standards. What I try and follow is what is right and wrong or morally and ethically right and wrong. I agree, our First Amendments rights have been diluted and tarnished making our freedom of speech a long lost dream.
We all like to believe our media is not run by the state, but seriously, all major news and media outlets are owned by conglomerations with distinct ties to those in power. The smallish stations and upstart newspapers are the last bastion of hope regarding news reporting.
on October 20th, 2008 at 9:47 pm:
What really bothers me is how the different news channels can come up with a different version of what really happens. Who do you believe?
Like my Dad used to tell me ” don’t believe anything that you hear and only half of what you see”.
With so many news broadcasters trying to get better ratings they will do most anything to get better ratings. Maybe they should change the titles of their news hour to Believe It Or Not? That would probably cover any liability for their misinformation.
on October 20th, 2008 at 10:01 pm:
I’ve noticed that exact statement recently during the Presidential debates. Watch any station or news outlet other than Fox News and it’s a clear cut win for Obama, hands down. Fox News reports the exact opposite. Liberal media will of course project their candidate as the winner as to assure their ticket during the upcoming 4 years.
What your dad said still holds true even if it is a bit conservative these days. I would say bump that what you see up to about 90% these days…
Newscasts and newspaper reporting has in fact become a believe it or not episode. Biased angles, bad history detail, skewed statistics, and horrible lead investigation gives us only partial stories based on conjecture and coincidental evidence if that. I choose not to believe.
on October 21st, 2008 at 2:06 pm:
I definitely agree with your blog. I too, feel that CNN is drifting away from reporting news-worthy information, and gearing more towards entertainment news to sell junk to viewers and make an extra buck. It is detrimental to have trusted news networks, such as CNN, to be reporting on entertainment because it will give the wrong, superficial impression on the viewers after an extended period. CNN should stick to hard journalism because that is what we trust them to be.
check out my blog:
newsnotgossip.blogspot.com
on October 21st, 2008 at 11:24 pm:
It’s nice to see other citizens realizing the smoke and mirror shows we are all subjected to. It makes me feel “warm and fuzzy” knowing there are other rational individuals living amongst us.
CNN has been continuing down the spiral of entertainment news and is most definitely harming their hard earned name in the news business.
I will most definitely check out your site. Thanks for stopping by and it’s great to hear from others out there in the world who can see past the haze of media.