News we care about. Ever wonder how reporters get you to look at the news? We want to show you how you get hooked on the news and the different ways to report the same news.
Oprah Winfrey announced on a special episode of her TV talk show this week that in 2011 the show will be ending. After 25 years of celebrity interviews, Oprah's book club, the coolest gadgets, and much more, Oprah feels that it is the perfect time to put a stop to her show. Her ratings have gone down this past year but that is not the reason she has made this decision. E!new portrays Oprah's announcement in an entirely emotional way. Their whole article covers how Oprah feels about it and what led to the decision. On the contrary, Newsweek covers the story entirely different. They discuss how this will effect her in the future and what this means to the world. So this brings to mind the question yet again of which form of news is more important? Is it better to present hard core facts or appeal to the reader and their emotions? Maybe a combination of both? Take a look and tell us what you think!
When your name is in the news as often as Sarah Palin's, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is sure to pick up on it and spin things their way. But how does it compare with CNN's coverage?
Lastnight, November 17, 2009, residents of Utah, and several surrounding states were eyewitness to an incredible display of nature's uncanny occurances. Just after midnight the sky light up across the state as a remnant of the previous days meteor shower entered the earth's atmosphere. Traveling at unordinarily fast speeds the meteor hit the atmosphere with such great force that the leading edge literally exploded, displaying a phenominal show of intense light. The light was so bright that it light up the entire sky brighter than the sun.
If you follow the link, KSL has several different videos from various sources. It is interesting to note which types of organizations, amateur or professional obtained the best footage of the meteor.
Here's some news that would be prevalent in Cronkite's day: President Obama is standing by Attorney General Holder's decision to convict 5 suspect 9/11 terrorists in a civilian court. Many citizens might be offended that these alleged terrorists are receiving civilian treatment instead of being tried in a military tribunal, but CBS News reports that, "Mr. Obama said those offended by the legal privileges given to Mohammed won't find it 'offensive at all when he's convicted and when the death penalty is applied to him.'" President Obama was hasty to add that he wasn't prejudging the outcome. In my opinion, this is the kind of news that should be on the front page of prominent news papers and on the home page of prominent news sites. Instead we have links popping up on the news sites telling us who the "Sexiest Man Alive" is. Who cares? I want to know about politics and what's going on in the world and I think Cronkite would be inclined to agree with me. All the news that's fit to print sure means something different today than it did 30 years ago....
New Oxford American Dictionary announces its “Word of the Year.” For 2009, that word is a verb, one with which we in our social network-obsessed culture should be very familiar: “Unfriend: To remove someone as a ‘friend’ on a social networking site such as Facebook.”As in, “I decided to unfriend my roommate on Facebook after we had a fight”. This is crazy! Facebook has made history! MSNBC reports this story along with CNN talking about the issue of Facebook and politicians . At first I thought this was a joke. But boy was I wrong. Check it out and let us know if you this is as crazy as I did!
Twilight has been causing quite a social frenzy since the release of the first movie in 2008. With the release of the next movie in the trilogy this month, all anyone can talk about is Twilight. From updates with Kristen Stewart and Rob Pattinson's "relationship" on E! News to notices of how the stars are doing on their Euro tour on Cronkite's own CBS News, Twilight is all over the news. But is this social frenzy newsworthy? In my opinion, this is more media than this movie needs. Twilight is the worst film I've seen this side of the century. No offense to those avid Twilight fans but couldn't you be doing something better with your time than obsessing over bad acting and fake "relationships?" I will be overjoyed when all of the mania dies down after New Moon gets old. Twilight will then leave the news until the next premier. Thank goodness.
They call it "the country's backyard." Since when has tailgating become such an event? When does a pregame party become too much? The following stories about the technique of tailgating were listed as the top story on CNN.com. It must be news then if there are reporters writing on it, for one, and it must be entertaining or interesting if it is termed as a top story, for another. But really, is this news or just "infotainment?" What do you think? They are pretty interesting. I never realized how much went into tailgating these days. Anywhere from formals to just a plain grill and a hot dog. Really interesting how involved they have gotten in the past years. Also, note how dedicated some of the people featured in the stories are to tailgating and pregame parties. I'd sure like to be an invitee.
Often times in the news today we will see people who get the most publicity when they do something that is horrible and uncalled for. Why do you think that is so? Why not cover stories on people who are doing amazing things for the world and are very accomplished? That is where the live between "infotainment" and news is very hazy. Here is a good example in college sports. This past week BYU played New Mexico in woman's soccer. A certain girl on the New Mexico team portrayed many instances of unsportsmanlike conduct against girls on the BYU team. In your opinion is this really credible news and do we really care? Why is it so popular?
12 dead and 31 wounded from the shooting rampage of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. Erroneously reported to have been killed, Maj. Hasan is in custody and in stable condition. To get the info on stories of this magnitude and seriousness, mainstream news is the place to go seeing how the material is obviously too sensitive to be used simply for entertainment. ABCNews reports the story as well as MSNBC.
Sesame Street's 40th Anniversary is on November 10. I remember watching all of my favorite Sesame Street characters dance and sing the ABC's and teach me to count. Then what? I asked my nieces and nephews if they watched Sesame Street...resounding no! What? How can this be? After 40 years of wonderful learning and kids today don't get to experience it.
After reading the article on CNN's website, it was shocking to realize how much has changed. Note the sections that talk about Cookie Monster hallucinating, or even the dingy turning to "power washing." Growing up, I never realized all the things that weren't exactly "P.C." on the show. I'm equally as stunned as the author of the article with the release of the DVD with a warning that says
"These early 'Sesame Street' episodes are intended for grown-ups, and may not suit the needs of today's preschool child." WHOA! These certainly are changing times.
I've been searching for other recent stories on Sesame Street, but I had to dig and find some that aren't so recent. Not only that, I found an add for adult t-shirts sporting Sesame Street characters. Where's the kids' stuff?
Example of a t-shirt for sale
Well, from my point of view, I'm feeling a bit outdated. Case and point for this blog: "old" news vs. "new" news. I guess I'm part of the "old" kids shows and not so hip on the new generation's entertainment.
What do you think about the changing times and shows for today's generation of kids and the learning shows? Are they outdated? Do we still need The Count to help kids count? Or what about Big Bird, Ernie, Grover, and the other fun, lovable characters? Check out "Jimmy Kimmel Live" tonight and "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" on November 9 to see some of the characters stop by for interviews.
Well folks, the results are in and it seems like the Republicans have taken Virginia! The governor elections for both Virginia and New Jersey were today and the clear-cut winner in Virginia was McDonnell, a Republican (the New Jersey election is too close to call). What does this election have to do with Obama's Presidency? Well Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele believes that the victory is a "blow to President Obama and the Democrat Party. It sends a clear signal that voters have had enough of the president's liberal agenda." (see stories below) I'll let you decide for yourself what this all means, but one thing is clear: This is the kind of news that would be prominent in Cronkite's day. Sorry "infotainment" stories. You're going to have to take a back seat to the hard-hitting news for tonight.
Spencer and Heidi Montag, infamous for their rolls on MTV's The Hills, have written a book providing advice on how to become famous. The title alone, “How to Be Famous: Our Guide to Looking the Part, Playing the Press and Becoming a Tabloid Fixture” tells what kind of people they are. Making millions, "looking good" and creating drama on one of the most popular television shows. Not many people have nice things to say about these two, their lives have become so fixated upon their image and their social status. Check out what MSNBC and MTV has to say about this duo! What do you think? Was it a good idea to write a book? Who even cares about Speidi?
