Saturday, February 10, 2007

Breaking Snooze

There are hearings on Capitol Hill, blizzards in the Midwest and American soldiers dying in a war in Iraq and what does MSNBC call Breaking News a few days ago? Anna Nicole Smith collapses in a Miami hotel room.

This alleged “news” of her collapse interrupted regular programming 30 minutes before news that she had died. Is either the collapse or the death newsworthy enough to interrupt the real news broadcast?

When did our society become so celebrity-obsessed that this is news at all?

Her biggest claims to fame: she married a man 3 times her age, she sued for her share of his estate when he died, she was a Playboy Playmate Of The Month, she starred in Trim Spa commercials, her 20-year-old son died tragically, she couldn’t or wouldn’t name the father of her newest baby … and all before the age of 40.

The woman had a bizarre and tragic life and I feel sad for her, but is the story of her death a tale to be called “news”? Sounds more like a book or a mini-series. It qualifies as Breaking News on Access Hollywood, but not on MSNBC, CNN or any other “news” outlet.

What’s next, a state funeral when Paris Hilton dies?

2 comments:

Joan said...

I absolutely agree with you. It represents the dumbing down of American journalism and is the latest indicator of what is the new journalistic philosophy driving the broadcast and cable news business...give 'em what we think they want even if it's not newsworthy.

Bernie said...

Hi Joan - thanks for visiting.

I just checked out your blog - nice observations about retirement, computers, etc. I think I'll keep working forever, but hopefully fewer hours.