WHAT DID YOU THINK of the MSNBC clip that Byron showed you this morning?
Was the anchor wrong in refusing to deliver Paris Hilton news? Isn't it the job of the journalist to provide information that people want?
Or was she correct in refusing? Do you think that journalists should ignore (or downplay) celebrity news (and gossip), especially when there are arguably larger news stories happening?
What would you have done?
(By the way, Barry Levine, the executive editor of the National Enquirer, will speak during our next session, on 11/18).
7 years ago
25 comments:
Paris Hilton is a pollution of news. She is the embodiment of what is wrong with this country. While thinking about Paris Hilton and whether or not she is news worthy, the principle of making the significant relevant sticks out in my head. Significant. I say again: SIGNIFICANT! What is significant about Paris Hilton. It shouldn't be on CNN, it shouldn't be on MSNBC, it shouldn't be on ABC news, it shouldn't be on any establishment that associates itself with news.
Although celebrity news is still news, in that it is relevant to people who maybe watch Paris' show or buy her products, it should not be the leading story as the anchor correctly stated, because there are many stories probably more important.
What is important is different for everyone. But when there is such significant news like a Republican speaking against the war in Iraq, a "heart-breaking" story like Paris' arrest shouldn't be a leading story.
what is news is different to every citizen. In my opinion, the paris hilton story is not important and I just don't care. It is news though and should have been reported because a lot of people do care. But, it should not have been the leading story.
Do people care? Or is there a perception that people care?
Are we (the media) assuming people don't care about the war in Iraq? Or do they just care about the war less than they care about Paris?
That solved the question, didn't it?
- George (the teacher who flip flops and loves it)
I don't know whether or not this journalist was right or wrong in not running the story. I am sure there are many people out there who agree with her; that the Paris Hilton story is not important, nor does it need to be broadcast on MSNBC. When non-celebrities get arrested, like Paris, it is not on the news, and that is because it does not meet any newsworthy qualities. I guess some people take interest in this type of news, so I think it is okay to have things like perez hilton and celebrity gossip sites, but putting it on MSNBC is unnecessary and takes away from other important and serious issues we should be informed about.
General Electric assumes that people want to see Paris Hilton. They love her.
People who care and obsess about celebrities lives really need to look inward...
I cannot believe that so many people just generally speaking give a hoot about reality TV (which is fake) and what Paris Hilton or Brad Pitt do on a daily basis. Live YOUR life?
I LOVE her. Now that`s a woman with balls. Seriously, you`re gonna make a paris hilton story the LEAD when there are more important things to talk about? That`s an insult to our intelligence, that`s assuming we want to hear about that foolishness. We`re living through history as I type and they want to make a Hilton story the lead?! What is that woman famous for?! Why do we care?! I think the clip was hilarious, LOL.
In a nutshell, celebrity news can and should be ignored by journalists, ESPECIALLY when there are bigger things going on. If people want that garbage, go to a trash can. Don`t pollute quality journalism with that foolishness. <_<
By making such a spectacle of not reporting the story, she is bringing as much attention, if not more, to paris hilton than if she were to just report the story.
It's great that she is taking a stance instead of just shoveling out news stories though.
And while a large majority of people do not want Paris Hilton news, it is obviously still relevant (unfortunately) to the public. She is the person everyone loves to hate.
I think most celebrity news, especially the more gossip based ones should be downplayed and not have so much importance placed on them, but it seems like the reporter did the opposite of that. Watching it I couldnt help but be curious as to what the story was. What was so scandalous or trivial that the reporter finally put her foot down and refused to deliver it?
Oh thank GOD a woman in that position, live on air, would not only refuse to read but shred a Paris Hilton lead in front of millions. And who watching honestly cares. I don't know any MSNBC fans who are chatting about Paris with friends.
And which of the newsworthiness criteria does Miss Hilton fall under? I couldn't tell ya.
I wonder if celebrity journalism (a HUGE part of popular culture) should be ignored by people. I love all these comments advocating for "real" or "newsworthy" news. In the pop quiz/attendance check, about 97% of you knew that Tyra Banks was the host of America's Next Top Model (arguably, part of the celebrity machine), while less than 1% of you knew who William Marrazzo was, even though he was on the front page of the Philadelphia Inquirer (which you should be reading for this class!) and is an important figure in the media here in Philadelphia. He's related to us both in proximity and in relevance. So do WE pay attention to "important" news? Which story would WE stick around for if it was on the news or in the paper? What if the story was about Eli Manning? Is he really of importance to you (and I bet a lot of you would know who he is...)? Or is he related to us pretty much in the same celebrity way that Paris Hilton or Tyra Banks are related to Americans?
Can we point the finger if we don't pay attention ourselves? I don't - I didn't know who Marrazzo was until I wrote the quiz...
Also, what do celebrities mean to society in general? (hint: I talked about it in lecture.)
This video is great, it is definitely an insult to think we want to hear about Paris Hilton instead of something important. Maybe if there was absolutely nothing going on in the world, it could be a short story, but NEVER the lead. It doesn't matter.
Paris Hilton is not news. I don't know how plainly to put it. I have prettier friends, (perhaps none quite so rich) and i know people who do more wild things than her. They get no news attention (and its a good thing too) It really shows a degradation of American priorities that execs want that to be the first thing we see
I am so sick and tired of PARIS HILTON being the leading story!
What is wrong with this country?
i understand why the anchor woman did not want to read the story because it is pointless!
PARIS FLASHES SOMEONE omg! Breaking news over the recession this country is in ? huh?
News on paris hilton maybe important to many people... but the welfare of this country should be the leading story save the paris hilton ARREST for the end or FOR Entertainment Tonight or VH1 news thanks
-Viannie !!
OOOOOHHH and its the JOURNALIST CHOICE what information they want to transmit to their audience so if she choose to shread the paris hilton story thats her perogative.
I absolutely agree with the other people that commented on the blog. Paris Hilton might be news to some people, but it's not important now. There are far more important things to cover. - Cara
I think that what the reporter did was wonderful! Paris Hilton SHOULD NOT be the lead, and I am tired of hearing about everything she does. However, I don't think it's completely fair when people say that information about celebrities is not news. Remember, the term celebrity does not just mean actors, actresses, and singers. I know there's a lot of sports fans in the class, and do you really mean to tell me that you don't care about the athletes you admire BEYOND the time they spend on the field? Regardles-- and though it sucks--Paris IS prominent. She comes from one of the wealthiest families in the country. Besides, she has been known to do some unusual things, has an impact on SOME (rather lame) people, and has caused some conflict and controversy over the years. I really wish it wasn't true, but I can see why she's at least partially in the news. However, it has certainly gotten out of hand.
I think she went a little nuts, but paris hilton is a freaking twit.
I would have done the same thing, with a little more wit and sarcasm... god forbid i happen to swear on air. But, she is a human interest, so technically she is a bit of news.
I don't think it's that people necessarily care about Paris Hilton, but let's face it, it's kinda nice when these deified famous for no reason celebrities have worse days then we all do. But this sort of thing is not uncommon, too many people are caught up in bullshit news like celebrity gossip that actual issues like an ongoing war gets put on the backburner. Not enough people are informed on the right stuff...so yeah GOOO REPORTER LADY!
Thank you, crazy lady!! I am really so glad that she decided to refuse this story. She might have been a little unstable looking as she was trying to burn it, but it shows that there are other things that we as a society need to worry about besides what Paris Hilton looked like as she walked out of her pathetically short term in jail (something that she played up to no end). I am all for celebrity news to kind of lighten up news sessions (not everyone can deal with the depressing stuff all the time), but there is really no need to start a newscast with someone like Paris.
I must say I agree with bl the ta. We SAY we want stories that are "newsworthy" but unfortunately, the Paris Hilton type stories seem to catch our attention. Whether we are fans or not, it makes for good entertainment and conversation and most of us enjoy hearing about it on some level (even if it is just to bash it). I see the reporter's point and agree with her that it should not under any circumstance have been a lead, but she seems kind of crazy in her attempt to ditch the Paris Hilton story. It's probably wise to remain professional even if you ar feeling a bit frustrated.
As a media outlet, you have to give the people what they want. Paris Hilton draws a lot of attention. I think she makes people feel better about themselves because she is just so... ugghhh, there's not a word to describe her. The anchor was funny and made me laugh because I probably would have reacted the same way in my head (although I would not have acted on it.)
Nikki Allen
J1111
I Love it! Mika is the BOMB.com. Paris Hilton is a mess!!!!
An emphasis on celebrities is a danger to public knowledge. How can people make informed opinions about issues and affairs being faced by our country and others if our heads are filled with celebrity gossip?
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