Nowadays Media is covering more News on Celebrities than Actual Real News - Essay Example

?Nowadays Media is covering more News on Celebrities than Actual “Real” News. The media industry has known a considerable boost throughout the past years and has undergone various changes. This steady progress in the media creates many opportunities that transform the press into a dominant factor in people’s lives because it plays a key role in the society. The following statement exposes the change in the field: “The institutional practice of journalism is a modernist means of constructing knowledge of public life that for many years has been widely accepted. Increasingly, though, this means of taking account of the world is being questioned, if not discredited” (Jones). However, the growth of the media industry, the advance of the new technologies of information and the related financial outcome explain that today’s media focuses more on providing information about celebrities than dispatching real news. Besides, others believe that the press is correctly doing its job and covers daily news of different forms depending on the events. Moreover, the polemic about the source of real news leads to a new competition between conventional news stations and late night shows. The growth of the media has caused various changes in the industry and shifted its focus from informing the public about real news to displaying news about celebrities. I believe that with the diversity of media outlets that involve newspapers, magazines, radios and cable television, reporters have become more interested in discussing matters that concern celebrities because the public enjoys such stories. The variety of the media creates a real competition that urges editors and producers to foreground news likely to draw more attention to their station. The best example I found about this media frenzy is about Michael Jackson’s death. Indeed, the anniversary of the pop star represented another opportunity for the media in all its components to pay tribute to the late international icon. This reporter portrays the moment as follows: “Michael Jackson's sudden death one year ago today set off a wild media frenzy with television, radio, newspaper and magazine reporters all racing to cover the dramatic end to the pop icon's life. Today, the media frenzy resumes with wall-to-wall coverage of activities marking the anniversary of the King of Pop's death” (Brown). This detailed description reveals the proportion of the coverage the media devotes to Michael Jackson. The news about the death of the pop star fills the press around the world as journalists compete about the newest piece of information to share with millions of people. In addition, the continuous coverage and the diversity of the media involved explain that celebrities like Michael Jackson play a key role in the functioning of the industry. The news of the pop star’s death has succeeded in rendering any major political, economic or social event futile because radio stations, cable television and newspaper editors understand the degree of the challenge and the necessity to meet the expectations. This article informs: “From the eerily titled ‘Michael Jackson: The Afterlife,’ which airs locally at 8 p.m. on WNEP to a two-hour interview with Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine, on WBRE-TV at 9 p.m, multiple television specials and tributes to the ‘Thriller’ hit maker will fill the airwaves” (Brown). This overwhelming and continuous coverage reflects the fame of the artist and the demand of the public to whom it is directed. Each medium, according to its specialty deals with a form of information suited to its audience, which keeps the discussion going. The coverage may discuss Jackson’s financial issues, his children, or his relationship with his family. This statement indicates: “Additionally, tabloids such as the New York Post and the New York Daily News are reporting information about the singer's family, and non-tabloids, such as The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, are reporting about Mr. Jackson's finances and what effect his death has had on the massive debt he left behind” (Brown). The diversity of the media outlets above mentioned indicates the common interest journalists have about this special event. Reporters always find a way to display different aspects of the singer’s life to feed their audience and keep them interested. Moreover, with the advance of the new technologies of information, the traditional media outlets are facing a serious challenge because social media like Facebook or Twitter provide fast news all day long. Young people use these social media to get instant information through their smartphones and laptops, and they enjoy sharing the news with their friends. This new form of communication even increases the attention on celebrities who take advantage of the opportunity to post their pictures and stories on line. This direct communication through Twitter gives many people an opportunity to reflect on various topics and share their views. For instance, Jackson’s death occurs during this era of high technology when people share information instantly. The social media even increases the frenzy about the coverage because new pieces of information about the pop star are posted all the time. Comparing Princess Diana and Jackson’s deaths, this reporter argues: In terms of massive global reaction, Michael Jackson comes closer to the levels of Diana than anything in the years since. But when Diana died, we didn't have Twitter. Or Facebook, or TMZ. Score 1 for new media TMZ is the agile celebrity gossip Web site that pulled off a stupendous scoop by breaking news of Jackson's death an hour before the Los Angeles Times -- and other conventional outlets -- managed to confirm it. (Barney) Even though both Diana and Jackson’s deaths drew the attention of reporters from all over the globe, the singer’s passing was widely treated in the social media. Each group of people chooses the medium of communication that fits its purpose while the coverage continues in its diversity. Indeed, the combination of conventional and social media puts more celebrities on the spotlight as the information about their lives, their deaths or failed marriages feeds the news desks around the world. Therefore, Jackson’s death represents an illustration of that media frenzy around famous people. The internet makes it possible and easy to share You Tube videos and other video clips of the pop star as a way to pay him tribute and honor his memory. This author reflects on such an impact: “While cable news outlets scrambled to get showbiz personalities and cultural critics on air to comment, the Twitter sphere was already abuzz with concise observances by famous users and regular folk alike” (Barney). In fact, the speed and efficiency of Twitter give many people—family, friends or just fans—an opportunity to share their views, their memories or any information they may have about Jackson. The people who provide the news on the social media do not have to be reporters; they may be ordinary people who feel the need to share something with other viewers or comment on the event. Continuing his reflection about the advantages of the social media, this author asserts: “And long before the major networks aired their retrospective specials, users of Facebook and other social media had already gathered to commiserate, sharing video clips and their favorite Michael Jackson memories” (Barney). This possibility to share information instantly makes the coverage about Jackson’s death even longer because people exchange views and clips from various parts of the world. Moreover, the financial opportunities involved in the business explain why the media chooses to foreground news about celebrities than the political or social events. Nowadays, the media industry constitutes a big business asset that does not miss any opportunity to make money. Pondering on celebrities attracts advertisers seeking to sell their products and willing to pay the price. For instance, even though the death of Michael Jackson is unfortunate, many people including his family members have made money out of this tragic event. Indeed, some of his family members did receive money in exchange of TV interviews. The following statement indicates: “Several British TV stations, including GMTV, have offered five and six-figure bounties to Jackson family members for interviews, and there has been no shortage of tribute-related performance deals offered to the clan” (Brown). If TV stations are willing to pay such big amount of money, it means they are getting more out of it, which makes it a very profitable deal for both parties. With so much money involved, there is no doubt that ordinary news will be neglected. Those complaining about the excessive coverage do not understand the deals involved and do not even have a control of the situation. This reporter elaborates on the problem: “But by now whining about excessive coverage in this hypercompetitive, multichannel, multimedia era is sort of like whining about the sun going down. It's inevitable, so just deal. When TV ratings skyrocket the way they did following Jackson's stunning demise, you know exactly what you're going to get: More Michael Jackson” (Barney). Therefore, the TV channels and other news media do what is best for their businesses and find their interest in the continuous coverage of Jackson’s death. As good business owners they care more for their profit than real news. Another economic factor that justifies the focus on news about celebrities resides in their own fame and value. An international pop star like Michael Jackson was an important personality; therefore, his sudden death came as a surprise to many fans. Despite the financial and legal issues he went through before his death, Jackson remained an idol for many who appreciated his work and always will. This reporter compares the depth of the coverage of Jackson’s death to the accomplishments of his life time: “And try to name a single musician whose list of major hits spans as many decades as Michael Jackson's did --or who has sold 500 million copies of one album. You can't. And so, as it turns out, not only have we marked the death of Michael Jackson, we may be witnessing the inevitable demise of the truly larger-than-life international superstar” (Barney). Thus, the singer’s achievement explains this media frenzy about his death because many fans still have memories of the gone by days and enjoy reminiscing the past through this extended media coverage. On the other hand, some people believe that the media coverage depends solely on the events of the period and that the news may be political, economic or social. Indeed, reporters do not always choose what they want to cover; they have to follow the trend of the news if they do not want to be left behind. Therefore, during political campaigns, the media covers news about political candidates and their different programs. Similarly, during the recession, the media coverage turned around the market, job losses, bailouts, the housing crisis and other economic issues. Commenting on the content of the programs of some TV stations, this writer informs: “CNN began its 7 A.M. broadcast by reporting on Bush’s campaign appearances the previous day, as well as the release of the CIA’s Iraq Survey Group report investigating the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq” (Jones). This statement reveals that the media also cares about politics which happened to be the real news during that time. The coverage about the political campaign and the weapons of mass destruction also indicates that reporters do not only focus on one topic; in fact, they can treat a variety of issues during each broadcast. Referring to the selection of the real news, the author notes: “CNN does not show this clip because, given the news values of mainstream journalism, such statements by politicians are not newsworthy; they are typical of political speeches. For reporters assigned to follow the candidate’s campaign, in fact, they have heard such statements countless times by this point in the campaign, said to different crowds in different places” (Jones). This ability to carefully identify and choose the best information to present to the public reflects a true professionalism and a concern for the real news. Besides, the definition of what represents real news has raised a serious debate throughout the country because not everybody agrees on the term. Moreover, different people have different sources of information and a different understanding of real news. The polemic about this debate draws the attention of this writer: “Recurrent claim about young Americans is that they get more of their news about politics and current events from late-night television comedians than they do from the news media” (Jones). This observation raises a serious problem because if young people get their information from late night shows, they may be just misinformed because these shows are more concerned with the comic aspects than real news. Comparing CNN to the Daily News the author points out “CNN’s focus is on the rhetorical sleight of hand. But that is the extent of their report. Stewart, however, returns the focus to the president’s rhetoric by carrying the point to its logical conclusion. He illuminates the contradictory nature of the populist statement by questioning what it is exactly that Bush is trying to articulate” (Jones). CNN presents the information as it is while the Daily News goes a step further to interpreting the words and creating a funny twist to the story. Therefore, the media does not always cover celebrities but also deals with various aspects of the society depending on what is making the news. The media in general has a tendency to prioritize the news on celebrities than report the real news. Journalists usually seek the sensational in order to make their information attractive to both their audience and businesses that advertise their products. I think that the financial outcome related to the coverage on celebrities combined with the advance of the new technologies of communication and the progress made in the media explain this keen interest on the news about famous people. For instance, Michael Jackson’s death constitutes a good example of an extended media coverage that benefited both his family members and the media industry and its associates. However, the media does not always cover news about celebrities but also explores political, economic and social events in the society. Media coverage mainly depends on what makes the current news and may not be predetermined. Besides, the polemic about the source of real news creates a competition between conventional news stations and late night shows. Works Cited Barney, Chuck. “Barney: Michael Jackson, the Media and the Death of a Global Superstar.” Oakland Tribune. Oakland Tribune, 30 June 2009. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. Brown, Stacy. “Larger than Life Media Outlets around the World Resume Frenzy on Anniversary of Michael Jackson's Death.” The Times-Tribune. The Times- Tribune, 25 June 2010. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. Jones, Jeffrey P. “‘Fake’ News versus ‘Real’ News as Sources of Political Information: The Daily Show and Postmodern Political Reality.” Read More