Media Sensationalism
...the mass media of the United States. MSNBC is a branch of NBC which affects 10 million viewers each month. NBC is a global media company with broadly diverse holdings. In the United States it owns and operates the NBC Television Network, thirteen television stations including CNBC, operates MSNBC in partnership with Microsoft, and maintains equity interests in a wide array of entertainment and sports cable channels. With a company this large and owning such a diverse group of channels, they have free license to publish and air just about whatever they want. This prompts other smaller media companies to cover the same information and in no time, this information will be plastered everywhere and blown completely out of proportion; something we call “sensationalism.” The trend of depravity has become more rampant than our generation has ever seen before. Unfortunately, the media has “sold its soul,” in the name of greed and power. It promotes content and advertises products using acts of violence and sex; an extremely cheap source satisfaction, other than the once tasteful and creative programming. While the news was once a means of informing the public, it is now a form of entertainment for the public. The media has perfected the practice of making an ordinary story or event into a historical, life-altering experience. How are we to know what is truth and what is fluff? Some ask why there should be a concern about news being more entertaining than informative. If ratings are reflective of what audience's desires and preferences are, than the majority seems to approve of these types of programs, right? However, many people view this trend as disturbing because it creates an unenlightened and misinformed public. These types of stories take away valuable airtime from more substantial reporting such as serious crimes and politics. Columbia University's David Krajeck speculates that this type of journalism creates myths about the reality of crime in this country. He says, "Editors set priorities when they choose stories that fill each segment of a newscast. They set priorities when they choose a royal scandal story over one about Russian politics, a triple murder in Maine over a story about the aging of America. Do consumers of mass media, especially these types of news magazines, realize that there are relevant stories that are not being presented because they may not be as entertaining as the pulp that is fed to them? More importantly, if they knew, would they care? One of the many examples of media sensationalism is the notorious Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky Scandal. The image of the "Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky hug” was plastered on every station with the "breaking news" headline when no new information developed and old information was re-reported. Another characteristic that can be used to identify sensationalism is the use of experts to share their commentary on a particular event. In this case, a variety of "experts" from political analysts to "body-language" experts were called upon. These people would give their opinion on anything from the president’s political standing to the type of affection he had for Monica Lewinsky from the hugging image. But the most unbelievable level of sensationalism of a particular news event is the rumors that make it through the news media. In regard to this event, false information was conveyed to the public. One example was a picture of a woman thought to be Monica Lewinsky's mother which was published and aired incorrectly. Another over sensationalized news publication was the Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding fiasco. When this news brief was initially broadcasted it was just the facts and figures of the clubbing of Kerrigan. A few days later three men were arrested for their involvement in a plot to eliminate Kerrigan from the ice-skating finals, which is when the sensationalism started. The media immediately dug up Harding's past criminal history and portrayed her as “a villain in a story of envy and greed,” while making assumptions about her alleged motives. Ultimately, the coverage dies down when Harding’s charges are dropped. Disturbingly enough, the main purpose of news like the Lewinsky/Clinton Scandal and the Kerrigan/Harding Fiasco is that it is made to distract us from the real news. Stories are often picked by the media in order to protect those in extremely powerful positions. Journalist, Michael Parenti argues: “The news media supposedly have a penchant for stories that are simple and sensational and thereby easily grasped by a large audience. But there are many simple and quite sensational stories that remain untouched. For instance, in October 1982 the media gave sensational coverage to several deaths caused when someone sli...