All around us in America, we are surrounded by examples of low expectations not being met by young people, whether it's academic achievement or television programming. Today's networks are engaged in a race to the bottom with reality TV and news programs that insult the intelligence of most 12 year olds.
Have any of the networks noticed that something happened on cable television, outside the news segment, that suggested that people are interested in watching truly challenging, engaging programming? I'm thinking of shows like 6 Feet Under. Then there's shows like Desperate Housewives and Battlestar Galactica, which combine a pulpy soap opera format with a wink and a nod to slip in some truly thought provoking programming into America's living rooms. Ok maybe "truly thought provoking" is an exaggeration, but it's not utter mind rot either.
News programming is on people's televisions because it is what is on at dinner time. I don't think that many people really watch it. And the main reason is that it is neither entertaining, nor interesting. Fox news is entertaining. The New York Times is interesting. It's hard to both, as it is hard to be all things to all people. But I suggest that the networks could try something no one has ever done on network news before: challenge their audiences and engage them with interesting thoughts and ideas. I think they'd be surprised how many people rose to the occasion. Otherwise it's only a matter of time until we have naked anchor people and circus clowns reading the news.
Those of us who have had the good fortune to live in other country’s, even our next door neighbor Canada, have also had the chance to watch news, state-sponsored and otherwise, that is far more hard-hitting and remains truly investigative. The CBC's "Fifth Estate" has produced thoroughly investigated, highly revealing stories. I would love to hear Karl Rove's spun-up response to the episode they did detailing Bush II's long business history with the Saudis.
One does begin to wonder how much responsibility the news media has for today's sorry state of affairs at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. One wonders if the media tried to pursue the actual facts and substance of issues, rather than regurgitate "objectively" what Karl Rove said the night before, perhaps there would be a louder response to the state of tyranny we find ourselves in. Admittedly, the news media makes a product and sells it and I am not naive enough to think otherwise, but I truly believe you can make a compelling, exciting product that is also beneficial to viewers -- broccoli can be made to taste good. Imagine the sensation that you could generate with a top news story of "Bush policy seems to break the law, again!"
Good night, and good luck.
No comments:
Post a Comment