We usually hear of "information overload" (which is something that most college students experience on a regular basis) but I want to note the change that has taken place over the past ten years or so - media overload. Today we have so many options for media - radio, television, newspapers, magazines, audio books and thousands of internet options: blogs, twitter, facebook, you tube - everyone has a way to be heard and the noise is deafening. Technology has connected us across the globe and gives everyone a chance to say something. This should be a wonderful thing. In some cases it is - you can get information faster than ever before but in other cases, it seems dangerous.
My purposes here is not to delve into the potential evils of mass communication but to talk about a disturbing trend. In the rush to be the "first" to break the news, the news has become nothing but a soundbite, a 140-word snippet. The news no longer seems to have extensive research, thoughtful questioning or even unbiased presentation. It seems to be fed on rumors and opinions. Shows like 60 minutes are quickly become nostalgic for me. The days of fact finding and verification, relative topics and quality investigative journalism seem to be fading. Tabloids, paparazzi and morning show field reporters with gimmicks and jokes are taking the place of more serious news. People want to have "fame" and it doesn't seem to matter in what form.
When I was growing up, my parents always seemed to stress the importance of having class. It was easy to be the class clown or follow the heard, but class was something that took discipline and education. I used to fight it thinking that it was old fashioned and that today's society was more casual and therefore more free. Freedom of expression was important. Back then, the shocking performer was Madonna.
Now that I'm older, I cringe at seeing what has become the norm. The reporters sent to my events by the papers, blogs and other forms of media seem to be kids in jeans, old t-shirts, chewing gum, attached to their mobile devices and they want to be spoon fed the answers. The only occasional suit I'll see is worn by an older reporter for an on-air segment. The coverage is weak and they really have no interest in what they've chosen to do.
Have you ever watched Huell Howser? I used to laugh at the sound of his name. To him, everything was "AMAZING" in his southern drawl and that drove me crazy. Now, I'm captivated by his shows and its clear to me through his adventures that many people watch him. His "that's amazing" comment (which is sure to be on virtually every episode) is now heartwarming for me. Huell breaks down stories into the basics - asks a lot of questions, shows genuine interest and builds a positive relationship with those he meets. By the time he has left the area, you, as the viewer, know all about it. Perhaps it makes you even want to visit the place or purchase the product. He's not "selling" anything or inflicting his opinions on you - he's telling a story.
For the last three weeks, I've stopped watching the news, reading the paper or surfing the internet for news. I don't miss it. Many may gasp and say how horrible to be uninformed but that's just it - there really isn't a lot of real information out there. We're so programmed to what society views as right and wrong that we've stopped thinking if we agree with it. We're becoming lemmings who want to hear the news on reality TV and listen to politicians blame everyone but themselves. Politicians that just keep pointing out problems and never simple, actionable solutions. Want to be the lead in for the evening news? Cry, scream or do something outrageous - the news will be certain to use your outburst.
This brings me to the media as a whole. The media plays an important role in our society and I do believe in freedom of speech. That being said, I believe in the freedom of responsible speech. It's great that the media has so many options to communicate to the public but with that comes responsibility. Crap journalism is crap journalism whether its on television, radio, written or online. I don't care if you give me new news every 60 seconds on every format available to you. Quality....not quantity should be the mantra. The media has incredible power to stop a lot of the unethical things that are going on - unfortunately, most large media mediums now seemed to be owned by the same corporations that are committing this unethical behavior and therefore, continue to go unchecked. Perhaps it's too much to ask for but I believe that a lot of journalists discovered their passion for journalism to tell stories, uncover truths, highlight injustices and to help make us a better place to live. That is the media content that is missing.
Stepping off my soapbox now, I will bring it back to the topic of media overload. Whether it's news, gossip, opinions, videos, reality shows, books, blogs or broadcasts, we have a plethora of mediums to access media. With this incredible power to reach so many people, why are we filling it up with crap? For now I'll stick to watching Huell Howser on public television and listening to public radio - for some reason, those formats seems to be the last of the balanced and interesting media to me. Wait....they are also not owned by large corporations...coincidence? Perhaps.
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