2008 Woodie Awards
Pundits of a New Age
Gregory Paris
Issue date: 4/8/04 Section: Opinion
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You have heard them. Ranting like an angry preacher on a Sunday morning, they speak to anyone who is willing to listen. Joe Scarborough, Bill O'Reilly, and Lou Dobbs, they all share a knack for criticism. From the pop culture buzz of Janet Jackson's boob to the post-war policies of the Bush Administration, no issue is safe from their scrutiny.
But do they really discuss news? "News" itself has a broad definition as information flows out of growing media outlets. The private lives of celebrities, politicians, and athletes have found their way to the front pages of newspapers.
The story about the soldiers who were attacked in one of the currently occupied foreign nations has taken a back seat to the romantic excursions of Britney Spears. Gossip is now a staple on nightly news programs. Such stories only give pundits more rotting waste to add to their growing compost piles of rhetoric. Lost in this orgy of hearsay are the stories that actually impact an average news-conscious individual.
The lines between entertainment, sports, and news, have been obliterated. When the media loses its ability to properly prioritize news, the public loses its ability to make informed decisions. Nightly pundits profit from Hollywood mud-slinging contests, while stories that deserve more attention are snubbed.
The public does not want to hear about the budget deficit or terror threats. Those issues do not draw viewers and sell papers. But just like a child that must be told he or she did something wrong, the public cannot afford to ignore such issues, they will dictate government policy and financial matters for years to come. Changes in tax rates, gas prices, and individual paychecks are all direct results of government actions.
It is sad when an average American has the patience to watch American Idol and vote for a pop star that has no bearing on their daily life, yet lacks the motivation to vote in a presidential election where the effect on daily life could not be greater. What holds more weight: the talent to carry a tune or the power to send soldiers to war?
Pundits like Bill O'Reilly and Joe Scarborough should lead the effort to prioritize news stories and stop averting attention from matters of public concern. 9/11 occurred at a time when Americans were falling asleep to the lullaby of pop culture. It is time to stop glorifying Hollywood gossip and start paying attention to issues that are truly newsworthy.
But do they really discuss news? "News" itself has a broad definition as information flows out of growing media outlets. The private lives of celebrities, politicians, and athletes have found their way to the front pages of newspapers.
The story about the soldiers who were attacked in one of the currently occupied foreign nations has taken a back seat to the romantic excursions of Britney Spears. Gossip is now a staple on nightly news programs. Such stories only give pundits more rotting waste to add to their growing compost piles of rhetoric. Lost in this orgy of hearsay are the stories that actually impact an average news-conscious individual.
The lines between entertainment, sports, and news, have been obliterated. When the media loses its ability to properly prioritize news, the public loses its ability to make informed decisions. Nightly pundits profit from Hollywood mud-slinging contests, while stories that deserve more attention are snubbed.
The public does not want to hear about the budget deficit or terror threats. Those issues do not draw viewers and sell papers. But just like a child that must be told he or she did something wrong, the public cannot afford to ignore such issues, they will dictate government policy and financial matters for years to come. Changes in tax rates, gas prices, and individual paychecks are all direct results of government actions.
It is sad when an average American has the patience to watch American Idol and vote for a pop star that has no bearing on their daily life, yet lacks the motivation to vote in a presidential election where the effect on daily life could not be greater. What holds more weight: the talent to carry a tune or the power to send soldiers to war?
Pundits like Bill O'Reilly and Joe Scarborough should lead the effort to prioritize news stories and stop averting attention from matters of public concern. 9/11 occurred at a time when Americans were falling asleep to the lullaby of pop culture. It is time to stop glorifying Hollywood gossip and start paying attention to issues that are truly newsworthy.