Following up on my post last night about "this humbug, poppycock, claptrap, hogwash, balderdash, hokum, flapdoodle laden world", read this excellent post on The Vitiating Influence of Hollow Identities, which says: "You know what news channels these days are all about when “Aishwarya Rai is not pregnant” is “Breaking News” on today’s TV channels."
Do read it in its entirety. Its a well put together post, about how identities are created today based on "recognition" but "honor". (Unfortunate choice of word - honor - in my opinion...but you get the essence of what he is trying to say. It is the same argument that Frankfurt makes in distinguishing why 'truth' and not 'bullshit' should guide us through our lives - political and beyond.
This is a general malaise that inflicts not only Indian media/society but is prevalent all around the world. US media is particularly notorious in this regard. One look at the evening news on TV is enough proof of this! And it has always been like that - at least for the 15 years I have spent in this country. However, in the last 5-6 years, cable networks have also become like that. Even CNN shows (Nancy Grace, Lou Dobbs, anyone?) have become a portal for sensationalizing news or a platform for biased talking heads, like Faux News - though the latter takes it to a whole other level of biased blathering!
Even online, cnn.com is starting to look more like timesofindia.com or rediff.com, with its focus on ‘sensational’ news of crime and celebrity mis-adventures. You can see what I mean by this by looking at the top stories this hour at cnn.com!
Latest News
- Iowa is history, who'll win New Hampshire?
- Get full results of the Iowa caucus
- Analysis: Iowa is over, now what?
- Ticker: Sleepless Bush watches Iowa returns
- CNNMoney: Fed to lend $60 billion to banks
- Wind topples trucks on Bay Area bridge
- Britney in hospital after custody dispute
- WKMG: Toddler tortured with hot oil, hair dryer
- Dead girls found in cab, dad prime suspect
- Window washer survives 500-foot fall
- Passerby saves family from burning home
- WSMV: Kids left in cold truck as dad shops
- Mayor to town: Lose 1 million pounds
- Up, up and away for Prince William
- Amy Fisher, husband promote sex tape
How many of these stories sound like E! entertainment tonight or the evening news! How many REAL news items do you see on cnn.com at this moment, if you exclude the Iowa caucus related news articles -- which they will OBVIOUSLY cover as it is only THE biggest story in the US today. (Though even there..you can see.. in this short-attention-span life, Iowa is history and can go back to anonymity for 4 more years. Reminds me of RKLaxman's cartoons in the 80s showing politicians going to the slums and the masses only before an election!)
Note: Nice wrap-up at the Media Matters website of the Misinformations of 2007.
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