“Boy Stalks Girl, Seals the Deal at Whole Foods.” This is the title of a story on the front page of CNN.com, a national new source.
It’s no lie that journalism and the news itself is changing. In the technological age that has characterized our era, news has changed from the traditional paper and ink of the past to a flexible, more innovative medium: the Internet.
Home of cat pictures, social media and all the information one could ever require, the internet has made an important impact on modern society. Whether that contribution was positive or negative is quite questionable.
According to a study done by the Pew Research Center, about one-third of news viewers have quit watching the news because it no longer provides the news they want. (To see the whole study, visit http://stateofthemedia.org/2013/overview-5/)
“TV news outlets are a huge part of the problem with our political atmosphere right now,” comments Bob Jones alumni Kelly Fisk. “Sensationalism is the best word to describe it.”
Lately, the news has been plagued with celebrity stories, over zealous politics, and quirky local stories presented on a national platform, rather than the news that Americans need to be informed of. Sure, the memorable antics of Kanye West pique interest, but is it truly more important than the bill that’s being discussed? Celebrity stories are why stacks of tabloids stare back at us in line at the supermarket.
So, why has the news taken such a turn over the past decade?
According to Variety.com, major news outlets—who spent the last thirty years establishing themselves—have seen a major decline in viewership in the past year. From Fox to CNN, these outlets have seen a decline anywhere from 13 percent to a whopping 30 percent. (to see more statistics, go to http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/fox-news-remains-ratings-dynamo-as-2013-comes-to-close-1200964903/)
Where have all these views gone? The easy answer is social media.
Because of the “personalized newroom” offered by social media, viewers have spent less time worrying about the major political decisions of the year and more following their favorite celebrities.
“Celebrities are so popular because people place them in high esteem because their ability to be in the lime light,” says junior Will Beck. “I think it adds to the popularity when they fall out of grace by doing some socially unacceptable act.”
In order to combat their declining viewership, news sources had to innovate and give the readers what they want. Apparently, what they wanted was celebrity gossip, taboo subjects, and sports news.
The news should go back to the important things: real stories about real topics. The scare tactics, the hyperbole, the skewed news needs to transition back to true journalism.
“News is the way we record history,” comments multimedia teacher Brandy Panagos.
This is what is being recorded, America: Lindey Lohan, People’s Choice best dressed, Goose gets stuck to Ice-covered pond and, yes, Boy Stalks girl, seals deal at Whole Foods.
