This just in from the national news service: Paris Hilton has just been placed in jail, or wait she was released. Hold on, I’m now learning that Paris was just placed back behind bars. Get Walter Cronkite — this is a news story for the ages.
While I have been watching and reading the news this summer I have noticed how pathetic the nature of news has become in this country. Everywhere I turn there is constant coverage of supposed “news” that is nothing more than gossip and at best tabloid level journalism.
Don’t get me wrong, there is merit in covering Paris Hilton’s going to jail, but the constant “Hilton Jail Watch” that is on every news program is over the top and degrading to the rest of the true news that is more deserving of our time and thoughts. It’s sad to turn on the television when all that is being discussed on the big three cable news networks is about how Paris is getting along in prison and her latest moves in the jail.
Often when I see the excessive coverage of petty news items such as Hilton going to jail or about Britney Spears’ latest head shaving I ask myself what would be more worthy of the precious on-air time. After looking at a handful of news articles I have found a few stories that you might have missed while Paris has been garnering much of the news spotlight.
First, there is the ethics trial for Mike Nifong, the Durham county district attorney. Earlier this past week he began his trial on accusations that he violated prosecutorial ethics in his handling of the Duke lacrosse rape case. This is not only a local or state news story, but it is one of national significance. Unlike Paris Hilton being guilty of violating the law, this prosecutor went after innocent individuals and now is facing a courtroom of his own.
Secondly, on an international stage there is a civil war brewing in the Middle East in Gaza between the militant Hamas organization and their political rival Fatah. One might ask why this is something with which we should concern our celebrity obsessed selves. The Middle East is a region of the world that we need to be well versed in. If not because of our security interest then because we want to be well rounded as citizens in this global community.
If one was to turn on our news they might assume that we are trying to be well rounded with all this talk about Paris. Someone might think America is concerned with the recent elections taking place in France. This in part because the French have just elected a pro-American president in Nicolas Sarkozy. But no, we are talking about nothing more than a wannabe TV star.
The American media are fueling the stupidity of the American public. By focusing on petty news stories for hours, such as the Hilton jail saga, they are adding to the eroding away of news in general. It is the news that must present the American people with issues of importance, not of entertainment pleasure. The news must seek to educate the general public and elevate the intelligence of the American citizens.
Under the current path that our news is taking, America will become more interested in the latest celebrity arrest than important international affairs. This cannot happen and we must demand better from our news services.
