News.
Often seen as a source of the latest information for various topics
from a national disaster to local fundraisers, it remains a large
part of our media consumption, both passive and active-engaging in a
variety of forms. But what makes news what it is?
When one thinks of news, they're sure to think of a major radio or television broadcaster o r newspaper publishing company. There are some issues with this, however. Many news radio and television programs are not conveying just factual information, but punctuate it with commentary and debate. Such s the case with “talking heads” programs such as those by Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh, as well as “The Huckabee Report” and “The View.” A more accurate term for these type of programs exists: “News-talk.”
If I had to define what I believe news should be, a large portion of what is commonly considered news would immediately be disqualified. The reason for this is that ideally, news should convey information in a convenient, efficient and neutrally factual manner with no bearing on political affiliation or publicity for certain parties. The biggest problem with news-talk is that rather than telling the whole story and allowing listeners to draw their own conclusions, speakers add lib opinions, playing on the attitudes of their listeners so that they come to the same opinions, vote for whoever the speakers support, and buy brands they sponsor. News-talk revolves around politics, cultural tension and corporate greed, and is the farthest thing from what news should be.
Media is an excellent way to share news quickly and widely. The internet has become thus far the most effective tool in doing so. That said, how news is viewed needs to evolve. I hope to see a day when news story from multiple sources can be meshed into composite reports for viewers, in order to include as much factual information as possible. Personally, I don't watch news broadcasts on television, nor do I listen to news-talk radio. Like most of my generation, I get my information online, though when looking at a single story I compare stories from multiple independent sources rather than major broadcaster's website.
As media evolves, so will news, for better or worse. Its really up to viewers like us to make it what we want, by being active viewers and listeners rather than taking information given at face value.
When one thinks of news, they're sure to think of a major radio or television broadcaster o r newspaper publishing company. There are some issues with this, however. Many news radio and television programs are not conveying just factual information, but punctuate it with commentary and debate. Such s the case with “talking heads” programs such as those by Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh, as well as “The Huckabee Report” and “The View.” A more accurate term for these type of programs exists: “News-talk.”
If I had to define what I believe news should be, a large portion of what is commonly considered news would immediately be disqualified. The reason for this is that ideally, news should convey information in a convenient, efficient and neutrally factual manner with no bearing on political affiliation or publicity for certain parties. The biggest problem with news-talk is that rather than telling the whole story and allowing listeners to draw their own conclusions, speakers add lib opinions, playing on the attitudes of their listeners so that they come to the same opinions, vote for whoever the speakers support, and buy brands they sponsor. News-talk revolves around politics, cultural tension and corporate greed, and is the farthest thing from what news should be.
Media is an excellent way to share news quickly and widely. The internet has become thus far the most effective tool in doing so. That said, how news is viewed needs to evolve. I hope to see a day when news story from multiple sources can be meshed into composite reports for viewers, in order to include as much factual information as possible. Personally, I don't watch news broadcasts on television, nor do I listen to news-talk radio. Like most of my generation, I get my information online, though when looking at a single story I compare stories from multiple independent sources rather than major broadcaster's website.
As media evolves, so will news, for better or worse. Its really up to viewers like us to make it what we want, by being active viewers and listeners rather than taking information given at face value.
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