Enough is Enough
- 41 Comment
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I get a little annoyed when the news media goes overboard in their reporting. The latest coverage of the death of Michael Jackson, the divorce of Jon and Kate and the affair of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, just to mention a few items, has been overdone. Enough already!
Although I was never a fan of Michael Jackson, he was a superstar performer and his death was certainly newsworthy. But for the coverage to go on and on, particularly on CNN where every reporter had to put their spin on things was just too much to take. It’s kind of ironic that several radio stations that had stopped playing his songs following the molestation “allegations” suddenly found it okay to jump on the bandwagon with playing them again.
As for Jon and Kate, I could never understand to begin with why they should have had a TV show following their lives and the lives of their 8 kids and who cares whether they are now getting a divorce. All this does is add to their TV ratings as the show carries on “reminiscing” about the past 10 years of their marriage!
So Governor Mark Sanford had an affair with a woman in Argentina? Big deal! Was he giving away state secrets while sleeping with this woman? The fact that he was a prominent “family values” type of politician might say something about his morals but it doesn’t affect the way he was doing his job and yet there are cries out for his resignation. Hell, if all politicians had to resign because of questionable behaviour there probably wouldn’t be too many left. Maybe that would be a good thing!
In any event, the fact that the media has to spend so much of their time reporting this stuff indicates that they aren’t really interested in reporting on “real news” but rather in items that are “sensational.” There was a time when this sort of thing was left to the tabloids and “reporters” like Springer or Geraldo etc.
that’s the way I see it
41 Comments on this post
Trackbacks
-
Steve Hayes said:
Right, and they had all these guy saying he was the greatest musical genius of the 20th century. Quite unnecessary hype. I can’t remember a single song he wrote.
June 28th, 2009 at 12:32 pm -
Leigh said:
I totally agree with you! But I think the reason the news sensationalizes it is because most people eat it up!
June 28th, 2009 at 2:07 pm -
Mamaflo said:
I feel almost like you except for Mark Sanford - not that it should be media for his private life to be played over and over again but damn it, I'm tired of our law makers being hypocrites and it's about time they were held to the same standards they hold to others. Yes they are human just like us but they want a position that not everyone is going to hold - I do believe it's somewhat different. The man is a liar and a cheat, I don't want him making laws for me!!!
June 28th, 2009 at 3:21 pm -
Anna said:
All of the above is the biggest reason I haven't had the news on lately! Death is sad, but they've gone way overboard with the reporting. As for politicians and questionable behavior…I wish they would make all those who have cheated in some way to resign. We'd be able to start fresh with hopefully some non-corrupt representatives!
June 28th, 2009 at 3:24 pm -
buckrobin said:
I agree … I think that several years ago the mainstream media saw how popular the tabloids were and decided to jump on the bandwagon.
June 28th, 2009 at 3:32 pm -
buckrobin said:
I agree that he should be held accountable in some way .. but it should have been enough for the media to just expose him .. they didn't need to go on and on about it. In Canada, we hardly ever hear of our politicians having affairs etc … maybe they're just too boring.
June 28th, 2009 at 3:35 pm -
buckrobin said:
I think what's funny is that there are probably a lot more politicians out there who behave questionably .. they just haven't been caught at it. Makes you wonder why they do these things knowing full well that sooner or later someone will report it.
June 28th, 2009 at 3:36 pm -
Patrick said:
You get a hallelujah from me. Sing it!
June 28th, 2009 at 5:51 pm -
Clara said:
I have to agree with you. Most of the garbage reported is filled with gossip and innuendo. I told my husband yesterday that coverage was ridiculous - it's not like he was the president. I learned after 9-11 that I have to turn off the wall-to-wall coverage of any story. It's just as sad that Billy Mayes died today, but he got 2 minutes during the hour long newscast and Jackson got 50 minutes. I'd like to see them shave off at least 45 minutes per hour and report some actual news. Leave the celebrity worship for Entertainment Tonight.
June 28th, 2009 at 9:26 pm -
Paul said:
…. this is why I don't watch the news — at all. I usually get the latest news from other people that waste their precious time watching the news. That way I don't waste my time being drawn into things that don't have any relevance to my life, or life in general for that matter. Life is meant to enjoy, and grow positively - and most of what is on the news is about other peoples' misfortunes.
(I hope you don't mind I posted this blog post in the BloggersShowroom.com linking back to your blog.)
June 28th, 2009 at 11:36 pm -
The BoBo said:
Agreed! EVEN Drudge is reporting on MJ related stuff WAAAAAY too much.
June 29th, 2009 at 2:12 am -
Bob said:
It really bothers me to see the same news over and over. That's why I just stop watching the news every time I see them dwelling on the same news story.
June 29th, 2009 at 5:52 am -
octobia said:
I agree on the overkill factor, but on Mark Sanford you're ignoring the fact that he left the country without informing his Lt. Gov. that he was gone and the Lt. was now responsible for handling any emergencies. His main obligation to his state residents is to fulfill his role — especially in emergencies, which by their very nature are unplanned. He miserably failed in that duty and needs to step down.
June 29th, 2009 at 11:54 am -
sandy said:
About time…a voice of reason. I thought I was odd, 8 out of 10 blogs are also on the band wagon about Michael Jackson. They act like he cured cancer, or funded schools for children in need, or solved the world aids problem or fostered world peace. He's a man that spent tons of money on drugs, plastic surgery to look more like a woman than a man, a man who spent tons of money on plastic surgery to look more white then black, a man who didn't pay his taxes, a man who owed his employees money, a man who molestered children. Yeah, I know he wasn't found guilty…which is a pathetic statement in my opinion. I never believed he was innocent. He's a man who hung an inocent baby out the window upside down…hello people. Name one single good thing he did for someone else? Hum…I sure don't know any.
Sandy
June 29th, 2009 at 12:17 pm -
blueyes said:
Actually what prompted the whole Sanford thing was the fact that we couldn't find him at first and his staff didn't know where he went because he did not tell them. We were told he was hiking which was a lie and no one was covering for him per say. He was also using the state funds for his travels to and from Argentina under an assumed name. So that should have been the prominence of the entire situation. Nobody gives a rats butt that he was having an affair if you ask me and so what if he was. Tons of people have affairs big whoop.
I think the news stories went like this. Jon and Kate was popular but got trumped when Ed McMahon died which got trumped by Sanford which got trumped by Fawcett dying which got trumped by Jackson which should have gotten trumped by Mays dying since he's a loud mouth who does infomercials but everybodies hanging on whatever happens with Jackson.
June 29th, 2009 at 9:27 pm -
Mik said:
Jon and Kate getting divorced, dang, just like thousands of other couples, never watched any of that show thankfully.
I am surprised by the sudden increase in sales of Jackson music, do people suddenly like him now he's dead?
June 30th, 2009 at 1:09 am -
Comedy Plus said:
I'm so with you on this one. I'm sick and tired of hearing about all of them.
Have a terrific day.
June 30th, 2009 at 4:29 pm -
buckrobin said:
Until you mentioned it I didn't realize that he hadn't actually written any songs!
July 1st, 2009 at 1:10 am -
buckrobin said:
You're absolutely right … this in depth crap should be on the Entertainment news so people who are interested can get all the gossip etc they want instead of subjecting everyone to it.
July 1st, 2009 at 1:12 am -
buckrobin said:
I don't watch the news as much as I used to because of the media bias but I do find that BBC news is about the best for actual news coverage.
Thanks for the mention .. much appreciated.
July 1st, 2009 at 1:15 am -
buckrobin said:
With all the gossip they're generating over the Michael Jackson death it looks like it'll be on for some time.
July 1st, 2009 at 1:17 am -
buckrobin said:
You're right … he should have informed people where he was going.
July 1st, 2009 at 1:18 am -
buckrobin said:
Most of what you mention will be overlooked as they deify him. Even the pictures of him that they are showing are of him when he was younger. As people rush out to buy his records etc, his debts will be overcome by the mass amounts of money his estate generates. They'll end up turning Neverland into another Graceland.
July 1st, 2009 at 1:22 am -
buckrobin said:
The fact that Sanford didn't inform his staff where he was and that he might have used state funds is what he should have to answer for .. and as you say, the affair shouldn't factor into it.
As for the deaths, I guess this is something their publicity agents had no control over or they would have spread them out a little!
July 1st, 2009 at 1:25 am -
buckrobin said:
What gets me about the sudden interest in Jackson's music is that when the molestation charges were raised a lot of radio stations dropped playing any of his songs … now they're all on the bandwagon again. He was supposedly in lots of debt, but now his estate will generate millions!
July 1st, 2009 at 1:27 am -
buckrobin said:
Thanks … you have a terrific day too!
July 1st, 2009 at 1:28 am -
Jenera said:
I was sick of the Michael Jackson coverage just an hour into it. Okay, he died. Let's move on. It seems the more like something could appear on The Maury Show, the more coverage it gets. Let's talk about more important things on the news.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:34 am -
Greenman said:
Thanks and Congratulations for being the TOP DROPPER in my blog for the month of June! You just won yourself a free ad in my sidebar! Enjoy your day!
July 1st, 2009 at 1:30 pm -
Margo said:
the news definitely sensationalizes… it's hard to find mainstream news covering what really matters. Starting with Ed McMahons death, it's as if they couldn't wait to get off the less sexy Iran election and North Korea subjects. Sad, but it's truly all about ratings!
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:06 pm -
Sherry said:
My husband died the same day Michael Jackson died. I haven't seen a lot of TV (news or otherwise) in the past week.
As a South Carolinian and former elected official, I disagree with you about Mark Sanford but agree with Octobia (above) and somewhat with "blueeyes." It is not the affair, although the affairs makes a mockery of Sanford's strong stand (supposedly) on family values. The real issues are these: Did he violate the law by leaving the country, making himself unreachable, and not providing for leadership in his absence? He lied to his staff and to the state, he used tax dollars for his escapades and he failed in his duties by leaving the state unattended by having no one in authority to deal with emergencies or other issues.
Sherry at EX Marks the Spot
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:07 pm -
Ghosting Miranda said:
if more people would feel the way you and i did, the news would probably go bankrupt.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:29 pm -
AronSora said:
A few months ago, I stopped watching the News and focused on my Industry's News. I've felt so much happier and getting closer to my goals. I think the media causes too much fear and control in the population. Plus, I rather read News from a blogger who admits he is sharing an opinion. It seems the major news networks are like blogs.
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:17 pm -
buckrobin said:
Thanks .. much appreciated.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:01 pm -
buckrobin said:
You're right about the "ratings" thing. News reporting shouldn't be based on this but unfortunately it is. I think the situation is worse in the States than in Canada or the UK.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:04 pm -
buckrobin said:
Sorry to hear about your loss … it must be a difficult time for you right now. But, as you point out, I failed to take into account that the actions of Sanford possibly violated his obligation as governor by not letting people know where he was.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:06 pm -
buckrobin said:
I second that thought! Thanks for dropping by!
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:07 pm -
Natural said:
it's overkill so i turn off the tv or don't read stories about it. rather than get upset, i just ignore it or go pick up a book.
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:41 pm -
Mason said:
Well, used to, the news only came on 3 times a day and only for 30 minutes at the time. With 24 hours a day coverage, they are forced to fill the time with something. It's the idea that we need news 24/7 that causes all the blahblahblah! I didn't see that anyone else brought this point up, so I thought I would add it.
By the way, have liked reading your posts!July 6th, 2009 at 11:04 pm -
juicy couture said:
I agree.. The coverage by the media has just been horrendous lately. Are there really that many people that actually want to watch all of the coverage? They just think so to dominate the news with such paltry stories.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:22 am -
michaelm said:
Amen! We need more posts like this.
I'm sick of the media. Period.
~mJuly 12th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
[...] I don’t know about the rest of you, but I get a little annoyed when the news media goes overboard in their reporting . The latest coverage of the death of Michael Jackson, the divorce of Jon and Kate and the affair of South Carolina …Continue [...]