Authenticity Of The Most Popular Source Of News In America - Essay Example

Introduction Neil Postman and Steve Powers have written the book How to Watch TV News with the main objective of providing a meaningful analysis of the most popular source of news in America. The authors have clearly cautioned TV viewers that anybody who solely depends on television for authentic news is making a blunder. They contend that TV channels are mostly flooded with huge flows of cash from advertisers because of which viewers are glutted with personality coverage of celebrities, obviously to the detriment of what should actually been shown. The problems in this context continue to increase because of the influence exerted by the internet and the large number of cable channels. It is thus important for TV viewers to be wary and cautious about being dependent and reliant on TV. The book effectively examines the changing technology and the deteriorating standards of American television news programs. Main Body In many ways, the book enlightens viewers about what one needs to know about the happenings in the world. Both authors have won awards in their respective areas of specialization in journalism. There are vast resources in terms of industry facts and astute opinions of the way TV channels work. The book has interpreted the role of internet at the right time in terms of how the truth and veracity of news has been vastly altered. The authors have addressed theoretical issues relative to the portrayal of non-visual abstractions on TV and described the process of how news is sold through the practice of teasing and creating pseudo families. They have also highlighted the difficulties faced by news reporters in providing substantiated news. The most provoking information in the book is about the presence of innate bias and shortcomings in terms of language and facts. It is in this context that they have recommended parents should take up with their children’s schools to teach watching of television with discern. If TV viewers follow what the authors have written there will be a strong impact on the devolving nature of American TV programs. It is surprising to note after reading the book that most people know very little about things that are happening in their daily lives because an entirely true picture is not reflected in TV news programs. This is why the world of news often proves to be overpowering and cannot be entirely trusted for the content that it provides. The authors clearly hold that anyone who exclusively depends on TV for getting authentic news is making a big blunder. Considering the extent to which people watch news, it is very important that the subject should be covered in schools. In having thoroughly reviewed the process of news production in detail, the authors have examined the shortcomings and issues faced by news producers along with the inherent biases in the medium. They have cautioned viewers to be conscious of the impact of commercials in terms of the rights of news content owned by large corporations. If viewers follow the authors’ advices they will stand to have a discreet understanding of how news is produced and to what extent it is entirely true. The authors have rightly felt that American “television programs have been so popular that they threaten to undermine the TV systems of other countries throughout the world” (Postman, 2008, p.30). Given that news networks are owned by large corporations, there is no guarantee that news programs will not be prejudiced in their favor. It is in this context that the authors believe that “The fact of the matter is that television not only delivers programs to your home, but, more important to the advertising, it also delivers you to a sponsor” (Postman, 2008, p.2). The main objective of television news programs is to thrive through the large viewer ship, and because news producers decide what is to be included in the programs, one cannot be sure of the truth behind what is being broadcast. The authors have also pointed out that politicians vigilantly and watchfully control the ways in which they are photographed and portrayed by the news media. Talk shows exercise their discretion in deciding which political party is to be given more time and opportunities to appear during popular timings. It is all a matter of which party doles out more money to these TV channels, “while public service does play a role in deciding what news programs get on the air, the main factor is profit” (Postman, 2008, p.6). The lesson from the book is clear that viewers must establish firm ideas about what is important because the authors clearly convey that even an open mind ought to remain within certain limits. In adopting this attitude one can sense if there is any manipulation, without having any pre-set notions in mind. This kind of mind set will not match with the thinking patterns of business houses and journalists. While preparing to watch a TV news program one should be conscious of the fact that it is merely a show, which allows one to use his or her discretion in regard to the content’s authenticity and practicality. Conclusion It is evident that most of the content in How to Watch TV News is quite obvious but most of this obvious content goes unattended because professionals in the news business carry on with their work without raising questions about the codes and principles followed in the trade. The obvious questions that are raised pertain to what kind of news is being broadcast and why this specific form has been chosen to be presented on television. People need to raise questions as to what exactly TV companies are aiming at and what is their hidden agenda. It is necessary that television news must be approached very cautiously. One does realize that the world of news can become awe inspiring and cannot always be trusted as a medium. How to Watch TV News throws light on the inner working systems of news channels in a very interesting manner. After reading the book one will never watch news with the same perceptions. Works Cited Postman, Neil., and Steve Powers. How to Watch TV News, Penguin, 2008. Read More