I poke a lot of fun at the media, but that is just because I find them all repugnant.
I'm speaking, of course, about the television media. The newspaper media, like our fine editor at the Flyer, is top notch and would never consider eliminating a columnist that repeatedly makes fun of the media.
Television media on the other hand loves to sensationalize everything they can. Nothing makes them happier than a national tragedy or horrific crime with which they can beat the public over the head and about the ears for weeks on end. They will run the story from every angle until we are all driven to stand up and scream at our televisions to just shut up about it already.
Rebecca, you may say, people don't do that. But I'm here to tell you that they do. My husband and children have seen it happen.
They also seem to love it when children are involved in a crime or an accident. In fact, if there is no child involved, you can bet they will find one somewhere nearby that will "likely be affected by the incident for the rest of their lives."
"Pat, I'm here on the scene where a cat has just been rescued from a flaming building. There was no one else around at the time, but we did talk to Mrs. Joyce Rasmuten who lives two blocks away and she says her six-year-old daughter was traumatized when she heard that a cat almost died."
(Cut to Mrs. Rasmuten). "Little Esmerelda was all cryin' an stuff. I think she is gonna need some medication."
(Back to reporter). "If you would like to donate to a fund to finance poor, disturbed, little Esmerlda's recovery go to www.bogusfundingprojects.com."
The overuse of certain adjectives and adverbs is also a problem. There is actually a class in journalism schools titled "Modifiers for Television Media: The Art of Sensationalism," wherein future reporters learn the process of using these words to make a news story seem worse than it is.
I'm kidding of course. These people don't need a class for sensationalism. Television journalists are born with a special gene that makes it an innate ability. You know, like the gene they have for perfect hair.
For example, there is never just a crime scene; it is always a "grisly" crime scene. "Pat, I'm here at the grisly crime scene where one is rumored dead. And there are children standing right over there waiting for the school bus!"
There is never a just a storm; there are only "horrendous" or "destructive" storms. The reporters are always right in the middle of the storm for emphasis. "Pat, I ... I'm (static noises) here in the middle of (sounds of the wind) the horrendous storm. A branch on the tree beside me has just fallen I'm sure there was a child's treehouse perched vicariously on a limb of that tree! I can't say for sure, but I'm willing to bet there was a child inside and he was likely decapitated by the falling branch. If so, the scene will be grisly."
The point is if you want the news, you're better off sticking with print. Print is still king. If you watch televised newscasts - local or national - you're going to get sensationalism. And I don't even want to talk about Internet news. That's only for those who want their news to include altered photographs and stories written by 13-year-old boys or 60-year-old grandmothers masquerading as journalists. Alas, that is a story for another day.
To get the story straight, stick with print. Because, let me reiterate here: The newspaper media, like our fine editor at the Flyer, is top notch and would never consider eliminating a columnist that repeatedly makes fun of the media.
- Rebecca Todd is a freelance writer and the author of the book "What's the Point?" available at booklocker.com. Contact her at btodd@tds.net.
I hate dog movies. In dog movies, the good, loyal, lovable dog always dies at the end and I end up sitting there in the dark with big tears streaming down my cheeks.
I’ve not kept it a secret that I find people who dress their dogs in clothes to be, to put it nicely, somewhat more than just eccentric. And many friendly, helpful readers out there have not kept it a secret that they really wish I would not express my views about dogs dressed as humans.
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
It sounds like the plot from a dystopian libertarian novel. The word “patriot” and the phrase “educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights” triggered heightened scrutiny from the most intrusive agency in the federal government.
The action at the bird feeder has been spectacular lately: Cardinals, finches, songbirds in impressive variety crowding around all day long in search of sustenance. It is truly gratifying …
Everyone presumes that Sen. Chuck Schumer, the media-hungry Democrat from New York, wants to be the next Senate majority leader. His performance in the negotiations over the Gang of Eight immigration plan should bolster his case for an eventual promotion.
An NPR broadcast examines the question of how communities can better prepare for tornadoes like the one that struck Moore, Okla. on Monday. The broadcast features commentary from Michael Fitzgerald, who reported a five-part disaster series for the CNHI News Service.
When J.J. Abrams took over the "Star Trek" franchise in 2009, he boldly went where the series hadn't gone before — romantically — pairing Uhura with Spock. Many fans disliked the change. Some loved it. Others didn't care, because they just wanted to see Kirk and Spock make out.
An NPR broadcast examines the question of how communities can better prepare for tornadoes like the one that struck Moore, Okla. on Monday. The broadcast features commentary from Michael Fitzgerald, who reported a five-part disaster series for the CNHI News Service.
Commentary
Discussion
Print is still king
By Rebecca Todd CNHI
I poke a lot of fun at the media, but that is just because I find them all repugnant.
I'm speaking, of course, about the television media. The newspaper media, like our fine editor at the Flyer, is top notch and would never consider eliminating a columnist that repeatedly makes fun of the media.
Television media on the other hand loves to sensationalize everything they can. Nothing makes them happier than a national tragedy or horrific crime with which they can beat the public over the head and about the ears for weeks on end. They will run the story from every angle until we are all driven to stand up and scream at our televisions to just shut up about it already.
Rebecca, you may say, people don't do that. But I'm here to tell you that they do. My husband and children have seen it happen.
They also seem to love it when children are involved in a crime or an accident. In fact, if there is no child involved, you can bet they will find one somewhere nearby that will "likely be affected by the incident for the rest of their lives."
"Pat, I'm here on the scene where a cat has just been rescued from a flaming building. There was no one else around at the time, but we did talk to Mrs. Joyce Rasmuten who lives two blocks away and she says her six-year-old daughter was traumatized when she heard that a cat almost died."
(Cut to Mrs. Rasmuten). "Little Esmerelda was all cryin' an stuff. I think she is gonna need some medication."
(Back to reporter). "If you would like to donate to a fund to finance poor, disturbed, little Esmerlda's recovery go to www.bogusfundingprojects.com."
The overuse of certain adjectives and adverbs is also a problem. There is actually a class in journalism schools titled "Modifiers for Television Media: The Art of Sensationalism," wherein future reporters learn the process of using these words to make a news story seem worse than it is.
I'm kidding of course. These people don't need a class for sensationalism. Television journalists are born with a special gene that makes it an innate ability. You know, like the gene they have for perfect hair.
For example, there is never just a crime scene; it is always a "grisly" crime scene. "Pat, I'm here at the grisly crime scene where one is rumored dead. And there are children standing right over there waiting for the school bus!"
There is never a just a storm; there are only "horrendous" or "destructive" storms. The reporters are always right in the middle of the storm for emphasis. "Pat, I ... I'm (static noises) here in the middle of (sounds of the wind) the horrendous storm. A branch on the tree beside me has just fallen I'm sure there was a child's treehouse perched vicariously on a limb of that tree! I can't say for sure, but I'm willing to bet there was a child inside and he was likely decapitated by the falling branch. If so, the scene will be grisly."
The point is if you want the news, you're better off sticking with print. Print is still king. If you watch televised newscasts - local or national - you're going to get sensationalism. And I don't even want to talk about Internet news. That's only for those who want their news to include altered photographs and stories written by 13-year-old boys or 60-year-old grandmothers masquerading as journalists. Alas, that is a story for another day.
To get the story straight, stick with print. Because, let me reiterate here: The newspaper media, like our fine editor at the Flyer, is top notch and would never consider eliminating a columnist that repeatedly makes fun of the media.
- Rebecca Todd is a freelance writer and the author of the book "What's the Point?" available at booklocker.com. Contact her at btodd@tds.net.
I hate dog movies. In dog movies, the good, loyal, lovable dog always dies at the end and I end up sitting there in the dark with big tears streaming down my cheeks.
May 21, 2013
Mr. President, the buck stops with you.
President Truman set that standard, with these very words posted on a sign on his Oval Office desk.
But now, with over a thousand days left in this second Obama administration, we find a Nixonian stench emerging from the “W. House.”
May 21, 2013
Rarely has the White House briefing room so resembled the main ballroom at a meeting of the Conservative Political Action Conference.
May 21, 2013
I’ve not kept it a secret that I find people who dress their dogs in clothes to be, to put it nicely, somewhat more than just eccentric. And many friendly, helpful readers out there have not kept it a secret that they really wish I would not express my views about dogs dressed as humans.
May 17, 2013
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
May 17, 2013
The federal government recently announced new regulations for buying fast food.
May 17, 2013
It sounds like the plot from a dystopian libertarian novel. The word “patriot” and the phrase “educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights” triggered heightened scrutiny from the most intrusive agency in the federal government.
May 17, 2013
The action at the bird feeder has been spectacular lately: Cardinals, finches, songbirds in impressive variety crowding around all day long in search of sustenance. It is truly gratifying …
For my neighbor.
That’s what it’s like at his feeder.
May 14, 2013
On April 27, Dr. Jeff Butts demonstrated a rare form of servant leadership as he participated in the Go Love Indy westside service project.
May 13, 2013
Everyone presumes that Sen. Chuck Schumer, the media-hungry Democrat from New York, wants to be the next Senate majority leader. His performance in the negotiations over the Gang of Eight immigration plan should bolster his case for an eventual promotion.
May 13, 2013
Follow me on Twitter
Will you be attending this year's Indy 500?
Tires
Telecommunications
Beauty Salons
Government
An NPR broadcast examines the question of how communities can better prepare for tornadoes like the one that struck Moore, Okla. on Monday. The broadcast features commentary from Michael Fitzgerald, who reported a five-part disaster series for the CNHI News Service.
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Complete Report:
Part I: Are We Prepared? | Part II: Disaster Dollars
Part III: Lessons Learned | Part IV: Warning Signs
Part V: The Big One
When J.J. Abrams took over the "Star Trek" franchise in 2009, he boldly went where the series hadn't gone before — romantically — pairing Uhura with Spock. Many fans disliked the change. Some loved it. Others didn't care, because they just wanted to see Kirk and Spock make out.
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
An NPR broadcast examines the question of how communities can better prepare for tornadoes like the one that struck Moore, Okla. on Monday. The broadcast features commentary from Michael Fitzgerald, who reported a five-part disaster series for the CNHI News Service.
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Complete Report:
Part I: Are We Prepared? | Part II: Disaster Dollars
Part III: Lessons Learned | Part IV: Warning Signs
Part V: The Big One
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