junk news

[sophie996]

here's a super column: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/coursey/04chrisc_b1.html

"By CHRIS COURSEY
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

If you've got a theory about Laci's murder but not a clue about George's resignation, you might need to change your diet.

Your news diet, that is.

Americans not only love junk food, we love junk news. From Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction to Martha Stewart's phone manners to Paris Hilton's video escapades, we lap up lightweight stories like they're the journalistic equivalent of Big Macs and Big Gulps."

[Somawas]

1. Excellent column

Just read it. Great points. And the tv news journal in depth magazines, such as 20/20, are no better.

[Nay]

2. An excellent piece. If I ever doubted that America is degenerating

into a collection of ignorant yahoos, I don't doubt it now. I am amazed at the number of people who follow "celebrity" news, jewelry and clothing fashions, etc., etc., and know NOTHING (or worse, know the wrong thing) about stuff that will change their lives.

[Liberal Christian]

3. My response to Chris Coursey

First of all, thanks for posting this link. What a right-on editorial. I responded to the author:

Dear Chris Coursey,

Thanks so much for your editorial about "junk food news." May it reach the eyes and ears of those whose "junk news" addiction influences far too much of their worldview.

May it also reach the editors of newspapers and radio/tv news, so that "real" news gets the in-depth treatment it truly requires and deserves, even if the "junk news" addicts are bored with it. It seems to me that the comprehensive presentation of real news in a way that is not sensationalized, but is also not tedious or incomprehensible could be one of those brass rings a news organization might decide to reach for.

We'd all be winners then.