A Sorry Current State of Affairs
In the age of "for profit" news media, Americans have become more poorly informed than a great deal of the rest of the world. Sixty percent of us will tell you that Saddam Hussein helped plot 9/11. Even more cannot tell you who is the Vice-President, their US Representative or Senator. Twenty four/seven cable news channels act almost as adjuncts to the Republican Party, "ditto" for nearly all of talk radio while the mainstream media (if that even exists anymore) buries stories which are negative for the right-wing and slants the stories they do report in agonized terror of that "liberal bias" label.
Equally as troubling is the tendency toward sensationalism, style over substance and poorly informed reporting. American news media, let's face it, has gone to hell in a handbasket. Now, however, a gleaming light seems to be breaking over the horizon. Yes, perhaps the tide has turned and at last we will see a new age in American journalism based on facts, honesty and objectivity rather than style, good looks, shock factor and fear tactics. What is this possible savior, you ask? This Island in a sea of darkness? What could this great white hope be? Why it's..........it's............it's, A CURRENT AFFAIR!!! (A collective groan follows)
That's right, Rupert Murdoch's Fox Broadcasting has resurrected the little half-hour "news" show which gave birth to every single stylistic image you've ever seen on his Fox News Channel. It's enough to make any reasonable person go looking for a rope and a tree, an oven and a match, a bath and a hair dryer, etc. etc. Having watched tonight's episode, I can confidently announce that hard news finally has a new home. I don't know exactly where that new home is, maybe the BBC?
Tonight's installment featured a story about a pair of teenagers who apparently murdered one of their friends. This boy and girl, who only stand accused at the present time, were depicted as "freaks" by their classmates and the girl was labeled a "sexual deviant". The slain girl was, of course, depicted as being as innocent as Cinderella complete with video of her singing in a pageant as a young child. All of this took place in a quiet little "family values" kind of town. The message here, keep your wholesome children away from those weird kids who are "different" or they just might end up dead! Great reporting.
Another story featured that incredibly hot looking 24 year-old teacher who is accused of sleeping with a teenage student. The story described the young woman as "emotionally disturbed". Really? What a scoop! The feature also included a horribly chopped up interview with the teacher's soon to be ex-husband. He's concerned for her, you know. After all, she faces up to 30 years in prison for her offense. Now, while I would never endorse teachers sleeping with their students, I've got to say, as far as I'm concerned this was a victimless crime. That kid is now undoubtedly the most popular guy in school! All the boys want to know what it was like not to mention why they didn't hit the jackpot like him and all the girls are completely intrigued by what that woman might have seen in him. Heck, he's larger than life. He really did strike the mother load. Why wasn't I that lucky at that age? I mean, just look at her!
While "A Current Affair" is obviously not the sort of bald-faced Republican propaganda you see elsewhere in Murdoch's media empire, there is a much more subtle form of influence happening in the half-hour show. All of the swoops, swooshes, graphics, bad production values and sensationalist reporting aside, the consistent message weaved throughout the stories it presents is one of moral outrage. It's the kind of "I'm better than all those nasty deviants out there" scapegoating message which always wins over in those "Red" states or as radio host Randi Rhodes has taken to calling them, "the persistent vegetative states", good one Randi.
I'm not entirely sure but I do believe the bible lists the return of "A Current Affair" to television as one of the seven signs of impending apocalypse....or is it the rapture? I've gotten confused between the two lately. I'm pretty sure that the apocalypse was when the Republicans took over control of the Congress and the rapture, as we all know, is the only way the Democrats will ever get it back.
Anyway, if you're looking for real news these days, you'd better open up a newspaper. I think I'll go get one right now, USA Today maybe...or the New York Post? Nah, just kidding.
Equally as troubling is the tendency toward sensationalism, style over substance and poorly informed reporting. American news media, let's face it, has gone to hell in a handbasket. Now, however, a gleaming light seems to be breaking over the horizon. Yes, perhaps the tide has turned and at last we will see a new age in American journalism based on facts, honesty and objectivity rather than style, good looks, shock factor and fear tactics. What is this possible savior, you ask? This Island in a sea of darkness? What could this great white hope be? Why it's..........it's............it's, A CURRENT AFFAIR!!! (A collective groan follows)
That's right, Rupert Murdoch's Fox Broadcasting has resurrected the little half-hour "news" show which gave birth to every single stylistic image you've ever seen on his Fox News Channel. It's enough to make any reasonable person go looking for a rope and a tree, an oven and a match, a bath and a hair dryer, etc. etc. Having watched tonight's episode, I can confidently announce that hard news finally has a new home. I don't know exactly where that new home is, maybe the BBC?
Tonight's installment featured a story about a pair of teenagers who apparently murdered one of their friends. This boy and girl, who only stand accused at the present time, were depicted as "freaks" by their classmates and the girl was labeled a "sexual deviant". The slain girl was, of course, depicted as being as innocent as Cinderella complete with video of her singing in a pageant as a young child. All of this took place in a quiet little "family values" kind of town. The message here, keep your wholesome children away from those weird kids who are "different" or they just might end up dead! Great reporting.
Another story featured that incredibly hot looking 24 year-old teacher who is accused of sleeping with a teenage student. The story described the young woman as "emotionally disturbed". Really? What a scoop! The feature also included a horribly chopped up interview with the teacher's soon to be ex-husband. He's concerned for her, you know. After all, she faces up to 30 years in prison for her offense. Now, while I would never endorse teachers sleeping with their students, I've got to say, as far as I'm concerned this was a victimless crime. That kid is now undoubtedly the most popular guy in school! All the boys want to know what it was like not to mention why they didn't hit the jackpot like him and all the girls are completely intrigued by what that woman might have seen in him. Heck, he's larger than life. He really did strike the mother load. Why wasn't I that lucky at that age? I mean, just look at her!
While "A Current Affair" is obviously not the sort of bald-faced Republican propaganda you see elsewhere in Murdoch's media empire, there is a much more subtle form of influence happening in the half-hour show. All of the swoops, swooshes, graphics, bad production values and sensationalist reporting aside, the consistent message weaved throughout the stories it presents is one of moral outrage. It's the kind of "I'm better than all those nasty deviants out there" scapegoating message which always wins over in those "Red" states or as radio host Randi Rhodes has taken to calling them, "the persistent vegetative states", good one Randi.
I'm not entirely sure but I do believe the bible lists the return of "A Current Affair" to television as one of the seven signs of impending apocalypse....or is it the rapture? I've gotten confused between the two lately. I'm pretty sure that the apocalypse was when the Republicans took over control of the Congress and the rapture, as we all know, is the only way the Democrats will ever get it back.
Anyway, if you're looking for real news these days, you'd better open up a newspaper. I think I'll go get one right now, USA Today maybe...or the New York Post? Nah, just kidding.
posted by Paul_NJ | 3:21 PM
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