Frontline: "News War"

Frontline’s multipart series “News War” with Lowell Bergman was a truly frightening documentary. The fact that an overwhelming number of Americans believe the Daily Show on comedy central is legitimate new is astonishing. News today, it seems, has become more entertainment driven than anything else. In my opinion, this is because of the competitive nature the newspapers are facing in a dying industry. Sadly, in our society, more people want to hear the latest news about Britney Spears rather than what is going on in Iraq. Since such a demand exists, it’s obvious that papers will try to this audience’s needs. “Newsworthy” stories are, as a result, often ignored or receive little coverage.

It’s also horrific that it takes literally no skill to become an online journalist today. While I think it’s important for individuals to get their opinions out there and report on various issues they deem relevant, I feel that such practices are neither credible nor reliable. Newspaper companies, in general, are usually pretty darn accurate and will readily confess to any information that was reported inaccurately. However, random individuals reporting news are not held to these same standards. Who is there to fact check the information they are reporting? In most cases, no one. Reporters such as these should not be relied on for accurate, fair and balanced information. Also, the fact that some of these online journalists have no educational background in the field is pretty scary. Through years of schooling in journalism, reporters learn how to organize information in an honest way and are able to practice perfecting their reporting skills before going out into the real world. As reiterated in the video, when news is presented in such a way by somewhat “unskilled” individuals, news becomes meaningless.

I’m not trying to completely bash this new age of reporting, for it does offer considerable benefits. Some stories that would have never been explored are being posted on the web. People all over the world are able to share their perspectives with others in an easier, time-efficient manner. In addition, audiences are able to access news more readily and without a lot of hassle. However, the benefits provided by newspapers cannot be underestimated.

Also, while reporting international and national news is extremely important, I think that newspapers may be able to gain more readers through the approach the video defined as “hyperlocalism.” It’s hard to say though whether or not advertisers will continue to support such a focus. Without advertisement (as this video explains again and again) newspapers are in deep trouble.