Those same talking heads who posed speculative questions about the three Duke University lacrosse players are now posing questions about how the shootings at Virginia Tech were handled .
As with every serious incident, whether criminal or not, whether someone is killed or personal files are compromised, events and actions surrounding the incident will be investigated and corrections to the process will be implemented. Let's wait for their report.
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Color the Imus Issue Green
The Imus issue is not black, white, brown, or pink. The color I see in the proceedings is green.
Imus said those things because past history made it clear that such talk got good enough ratings to attract sponsors.
Sharpton and Jackson got into it because it adds to their attraction with groups willing to contribute to their causes and pay their speakers' fees.
Program sponsors abandoned the program because they did not want much of the fallout from the events to hit them; although those types of rants are common on his show, the sponsors continued their support as long as they felt their sponsorship contributed to their bottom lines.
CBS and MSNBC dropped them for similar reasons--sponsorships seemed to be failing.
Cable news shows continued their coverages because viewership would probably be up and their sponsors would be happy (as soon as they see viewership dropping they will drop the subject).
The only group seemingly not in it for the green is the Rutgers University women's basketball team. They accepted an apology and are moving on from there. (Some cynics might argue that even there the publicity will likely help Rutgers U attract better recruits and more paying fans to their basketball games, and so it is still green. I do not see that as their motivation--they seem to be innocent bystanders hit by shrapnel.)
Our free enterprise system exemplified.
Imus said those things because past history made it clear that such talk got good enough ratings to attract sponsors.
Sharpton and Jackson got into it because it adds to their attraction with groups willing to contribute to their causes and pay their speakers' fees.
Program sponsors abandoned the program because they did not want much of the fallout from the events to hit them; although those types of rants are common on his show, the sponsors continued their support as long as they felt their sponsorship contributed to their bottom lines.
CBS and MSNBC dropped them for similar reasons--sponsorships seemed to be failing.
Cable news shows continued their coverages because viewership would probably be up and their sponsors would be happy (as soon as they see viewership dropping they will drop the subject).
The only group seemingly not in it for the green is the Rutgers University women's basketball team. They accepted an apology and are moving on from there. (Some cynics might argue that even there the publicity will likely help Rutgers U attract better recruits and more paying fans to their basketball games, and so it is still green. I do not see that as their motivation--they seem to be innocent bystanders hit by shrapnel.)
Our free enterprise system exemplified.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
When did it change?
Our three local television stations each devoted twenty minutes to the Valentine's Day snowstorm. Seems to me there are more important events to cover. Hope they know this is Michigan, it is February, temperatures in winter do get to single digits, and snow does fall, sometimes in great quantities. What would we ever do without the talking heads telling us to bundle up; cover our mouths, noses, ears; wear gloves? They treat us as though we just moved here from warmer climes to get work (we have a net emigration from the state). Condescending also comes to mind. But it must work for them financially.
The snowfall was magnificent. The new coating in brilliant sunshine begged to be skied. So out along the road one day--not good skiing because some of the road surface was uncovered with snow. Then on to the Macomb Orchard Trail. A rail-to-trail conversion, it passes through Washington Township, Romeo, and Bruce Township before turning generally east to Armada and Richmond. Only a part in Washington Township is open for recreationers so we skied a portion of that. Very cold but a vigorous workout nonetheless.
The snowfall was magnificent. The new coating in brilliant sunshine begged to be skied. So out along the road one day--not good skiing because some of the road surface was uncovered with snow. Then on to the Macomb Orchard Trail. A rail-to-trail conversion, it passes through Washington Township, Romeo, and Bruce Township before turning generally east to Armada and Richmond. Only a part in Washington Township is open for recreationers so we skied a portion of that. Very cold but a vigorous workout nonetheless.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Media feeding frenzy
about Anna Nicole Smith. Loss of life is always tragic. And perhaps interesting up to a point, in this case concern for her baby. But continuous coverage with nothing new to add is the definition of blithering.
Why do they do it? Because it sells. People must watch for hours and in droves to make it worth media efforts. At least Lisa Marie Nowak, the astronaut who drove 900 miles to pepper spray a rival, and her family must be relieved that her story was released from the media clutches.
Why do they do it? Because it sells. People must watch for hours and in droves to make it worth media efforts. At least Lisa Marie Nowak, the astronaut who drove 900 miles to pepper spray a rival, and her family must be relieved that her story was released from the media clutches.
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