By Alban Williams Jerome, via Bangalore
Sensationalism of news.... is the new age mantra of the media companies... they aim not only to inform but rather they overwhelm the viewers with the same piece of news played over and over again in a seamless cycle of debauchery.... The viewers are subjected to this affliction of information, overkill by these 24X7 news channels which under the cover of providing uninterrupted news (anytime news)... cause the viewers to over react, by overloading them with information to the point of becoming nauseous.
Another common tactic is the skewed presentation of news, so that one side of the story is shown until the viewers are saturated in it... then viola... new information suddenly seems to surface then the cycle is repeated all over again, albeit now it is the other side of the story. This incident of course, is news or rather, this particular news has a shelf till the ‘Next big thing’. Then its old news – a passable mention – an interesting update. Today’s media companies have many wonderful sweet sounding slogans that are designed to show their distinction from their competitors and their commitment to the 4th estate. However, what I feel is that these corporate battle cries are nothing more than camouflages to the simplest business truth – more sales… more money. And sale they do... the same news is sold shamelessly with the only difference being the packaging. Each media house has its own style of wrapper.However, in the end it’s the same stuff, different package
What does all this sensationalism in the news mean? Sex, money, violence…scandals of any sort…. especially when related to celebrities rakes in money, plenty of it, for the network that breaks the news. Never mind that in 30-60 minutes, the rest of the networks would have started streaming the same thing. The trick is to get hold of the news first, get it faster to the viewer, and milk the exclusivity to the max. And milk they do - more than a starving calf in drought/lean year.
News stories are often perceived (rightfully or mistakenly) as partisan or biased due to the sensational nature in which they are reported. A media piece may report on a political figure in a biased way or present one side of an issue while deriding another, or neutrally, it may simply include sensational aspects. Complex subjects and affairs are often subject to sensationalism to the point where the very essence of the issues becomes tainted with confusion. Exciting and emotionally charged aspects can be drawn out without providing elements such as relevant background, investigative, or contextual information needed for the viewer to form his or her opinion on the subject, which is gross infringement of the viewer’s right to NEWS.
And does all this matter to us? For you, me, anyone for that matter who depend on the media for information about the real world, the answer is bound to be, yes. Learning the truth about what’s going on in the world is hard enough, now, we must deal with these ‘news manufacturers’ whose idea of a good story is a reflection of prime-time soap-operas, plus or minus a few facts.
But if one were to wonder why this staggering amount of sensationalism floods the news, the answer, I’m afraid - however nasty and caustic - that the bulk of the blame for this, does not lay with the business minded corporation, no matter how greedy, who’s flawless understanding of the consumer but (our) unsatisfying thirsty nature for news, which they conveniently fill.
Another common tactic is the skewed presentation of news, so that one side of the story is shown until the viewers are saturated in it... then viola... new information suddenly seems to surface then the cycle is repeated all over again, albeit now it is the other side of the story. This incident of course, is news or rather, this particular news has a shelf till the ‘Next big thing’. Then its old news – a passable mention – an interesting update. Today’s media companies have many wonderful sweet sounding slogans that are designed to show their distinction from their competitors and their commitment to the 4th estate. However, what I feel is that these corporate battle cries are nothing more than camouflages to the simplest business truth – more sales… more money. And sale they do... the same news is sold shamelessly with the only difference being the packaging. Each media house has its own style of wrapper.However, in the end it’s the same stuff, different package
What does all this sensationalism in the news mean? Sex, money, violence…scandals of any sort…. especially when related to celebrities rakes in money, plenty of it, for the network that breaks the news. Never mind that in 30-60 minutes, the rest of the networks would have started streaming the same thing. The trick is to get hold of the news first, get it faster to the viewer, and milk the exclusivity to the max. And milk they do - more than a starving calf in drought/lean year.
News stories are often perceived (rightfully or mistakenly) as partisan or biased due to the sensational nature in which they are reported. A media piece may report on a political figure in a biased way or present one side of an issue while deriding another, or neutrally, it may simply include sensational aspects. Complex subjects and affairs are often subject to sensationalism to the point where the very essence of the issues becomes tainted with confusion. Exciting and emotionally charged aspects can be drawn out without providing elements such as relevant background, investigative, or contextual information needed for the viewer to form his or her opinion on the subject, which is gross infringement of the viewer’s right to NEWS.
And does all this matter to us? For you, me, anyone for that matter who depend on the media for information about the real world, the answer is bound to be, yes. Learning the truth about what’s going on in the world is hard enough, now, we must deal with these ‘news manufacturers’ whose idea of a good story is a reflection of prime-time soap-operas, plus or minus a few facts.
But if one were to wonder why this staggering amount of sensationalism floods the news, the answer, I’m afraid - however nasty and caustic - that the bulk of the blame for this, does not lay with the business minded corporation, no matter how greedy, who’s flawless understanding of the consumer but (our) unsatisfying thirsty nature for news, which they conveniently fill.
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