Seems that this is a combination of two things:
I do not want to make the argument that instability in the Middle East does materially affect us because:
- TV coverage has receded so far behind web-based media in its ability to keep up with news stories that they don't even try to compete, and instead cover "human interest" stories (or, worse, they create stories based on the web itself - see previously mentioned You Tube feature), and - because remember: cnn.com, not the TV news program, is responsible for featuring the legless chihuahua content -
- American media outlets feel no significant demand from our population to cover news events in the rest of the world - or, arguably, news in any form - because we are perfectly happy to remain ignorant until we are materially affected by such events.
- ...well...do I have to? Isn't this already abundantly clear? and
- even if it does not directly impact your life tomorrow, shouldn't you still know what is going on with your fellow humans?
3 comments:
What do you have against legless chihuahuas? They're SO cute and cuddly!
The written press has completely given up reporting the news and instead fills their pages with paper back human interest stories. Television has decided that their commentator is the story and centers around anything that promotes them. Is the US public ignorant of what is going on in the world because of this or has the press changed because the US public does not care?
I just want to give a hearty "AMEN" to your post. I remember the legless chihuaha story and remember thinking: "since when is this newsworthy"? I could see it being aired in middle of no-where Texas when they have nothing else to talk about, but on CNN? COME ON people! I agree with you 100% on this.
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