Media Gripe.....

Submitted by editorkevin on 26 October 2008 - 4:21pm

I hate to touch this because this is a terrible, terrible tragedy and I am NOT taking away from it. But I was looking at CNN.com today and there was/is a headline on the site "4 Cheerleaders Killed In Fiery Crash." The story is here. My question is: if these had been, say, 4 "vocational education" students studying cosmetology, would this have made CNN's page? In fairness, maybe it would, I don't know.....I just cringe when the media simplifies so many things with meaningless labels. Amish involvement in a story virtually assures media coverage. The media loves to seize on Amish connections to otherwise humdrum stories. I was annoyed earlier in the year when the media repeatedly referred to aviator Steve Fossett as the "millionaire adventurer" as if somehow his money made him more meangiful than if he were a poor, pauper adventurer.....I don't know what my point is...I'm just venting....In some ways I think the media just reflects what we as a society value, perhaps we value cheerleaders and millionaires over vo-ed students and paupers....Not sure, or maybe the media is just dumb.

Re: Media Gripe.....

Submitted by Brendalynne1 on 1 November 2008 - 3:00pm.

GOD BLESS YOU

Wow - I couldn't agree with your assessment more. I am also troubled with the fact that "the media" doesn't appear to be the unbiased fact finding and rreporting institution that it is supposed to be. Where are the comments that are usually made when we need to know that the reporter has a vested interest in intrepreting the facts in a particular way ??
At election time it is even more troubling.

Re: Media Gripe.....

Submitted by KJuneBug on 27 October 2008 - 11:38am.

What about the lady and unborn child that were also killed? I am going to venture and add due to the inexperienced driving of the teen cheerleaders? It sounds like the cheerleader car caused the whole thing, then they make them the headline?

Here's what the headline could have read."SUV full of cheerleaders, hits oncoming car, killing 1 woman and unborn child".

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:5

Re: Media Gripe.....

Submitted by bkcronin on 26 October 2008 - 9:15pm.

I agree that the media doesn't do that great of job on some stories (translation yes they are stupid). However, I think what they are trying to do is evoke emotion and/or have a 'hook' to get you to want to read the story. Granted, the headlines about it being cheerleaders did grab my attention (more so as if it just said 'four high school girls). With that thought, if Steven Fossett didn't have the millions, the headlines wouldn't have been as catchy "millionare adventurer" but " "stupid man with poor judgement." Either way, it is journalism 101 and it did it's job: You did read the articule didn't you Also Kevin you do the same here on the blog, some of your 'headlines' make me want to read what you wrote about, while other times........ (just kidding I enjoy it all)....