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TV News Repeaters

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION

Dear BuzzFlash:

Krugman's column about Wolf Blister points out a basic flaw in our thinking as a society, that TV news is the same as the content of a newspaper, and that these people who tickle our visual fancy have the right to be called "journalists." These folks are careerists, and their emphasis is on demeanor and grooming. Investigative journalism and thirst for truth are probably last on their list. They may be called "reporters," because they report what is handed to them, but I think "repeaters" is a better term, in that they repeat whatever the networks bosses tell them to, as often as they are told to repeat it, while appealing visually and aurally to viewer.

The right wing media rails on about Hollywood, and we say politics is Hollywood for ugly people, but "The News" seems to be becoming a haven for Hollywood's runner ups and cast-offs, Fox news and CNN most glaringly. ABC, CBS and NBC seem to have always attracted those men who inspire the label "trustworthy," i.e. handsome enough to remind you of dear old dad, but not so handsome as to make you feel like you're being hit on. The women are mostly cut out of the face-lift/peroxide/black mascara/Chanel suit mold on the main networks; and real journalists who refuse to bleach are relegated to the field. On the cable shows, the men look like they came from either one of two places: the older and/or chubbier ones were discovered somewhere coaching little league sports, and the rest, maybe from a failed attempt as a male model. The latter can be said for the young women on all cable networks but Fox, as Fox's female commentators look more and more like truckstop waitresses.

The point I am making is that TV journalism has been an contradiction in terms from the beginning, as it took all the emphasis away from content, and put it in the last place it needs to be, which is on appearance. It's taken us 50 years to figure this out, but it has finally become glaringly obvious. The only conclusion you can draw about any occurrence reported on "The News" on either the main networks or cable is that something probably happened in the location they are reporting from or talking about. It's now up to each individual to hunt for the truth about what that is or was, because they are not just selling during the commercials anymore.

Supposing things change, and I don't think they will, how will we know when we are being informed instead of seduced? Well, when all the TV reporters are old, fat, wrinkled and generally butt-ugly, with the occasional beauty queen or debonair gentleman thrown in for good measure (but in proportion to the actual percentage of society that is amazingly good looking).

Keep up the great work.

Kerry Wells
Monroe, NC

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION