Why is valuable news space being wasted on trivial celebrity issues?

Question

Do we really need to know that Britney occasionally 'forgets' her underwear? Or that Lindsay Lohan sometimes misspells her words?

These things happen to people everyday all over the world. Are they really important enough to be aired on national news alongside the war and Bush's Iraq policy?

To Melissa A:

By "valuable new space" I'm referring to the important issues which are repeatedly sidelined in order to make space for hyped and less relevant celebrity concerns.

I agree that persons can simply change the channel if material doesn't appeal to them. But why would such material be aired on *national* news in the first place? Why not isolate it to entertainment news or programs of a similar nature? Such information does not affect the larger majority and doesn't suitable or relevant enough for broadcast on a national news program.

You say the media puts on air "what people watch". I don't understand this statement because in truth it is what the media airs that people watch.

Answer 1

Because people watch it. "If it bleeds, it leads" has always been the mantra of news shows, and the sensationalism of celebrities holds nearly equal fascination for the viewing public. People in general are mindless sheep that have voyeuristic tendencies - which explains why reality shows get such high ratings and quality storytelling is getting harder to find.

Answer 2

First I am going to question what you mean by "valuable" news space. There is so much time that news is on television. It is not really in short supply.

I agree with your basic premise. But you can always change the channel. If you watch news on PBS, it won't be as flashy, but you won't get all that fluff either.

The media are driven by the almighty dollar. They put on the air what people watch. Obviously lots of people want to learn about Britney's panties. The more viewers a show gets, the more advertising dollars it can demand. Thus they mix in stories about celebrities with the real news.

I have to admit it is a guilty pleasure of mine. I get most of my news from the Internet. I read about Iraq, but I read that stupid stuff too. It is entertaining and a bit of a diversion from the harsh realities of life.

Answer 3

Most people are more interested in what's going on in Hollywood than what's going on in Washington. Sad commentary of life, isn't it?

Answer 4

‘We’ get what we pay for.
People get the news that they most listen to. If nobody cared then they wouldn’t tell us, after all, it’s all about the advertising dollar.