I’m a bit of a news junkie .. and I’m working on it, but I still seem to find myself “checking in” with various news outlets pretty much daily. I cannot fathom how the news outlets can expect to cover the political campaigns at this pace for another year. Since when do candidates start campaigning two years before an election? What will happen next election? Will they start campaigning three years before?
I know what the reason is (I think.) It’s the cable news networks. In their quest for ratings, they have devised a collective plan to make political campaigns a daily story so that they’ll always have some “news” to report. These are the same people responsible for immortalizing Anna Nicole Smith and making updates on the pathetic life of Britney Spears something that you have to endure before hearing about international news that could very well affect the future of our country and the entire planet.
I truly think that these “news outlets” will contribute greatly to the eventual downfall of our society. They are essentially brainwashing the masses (or at least controlling our exposure which equates to a similar result.)
I wonder if by the time the election comes around, we might all be so sick of the candidates that we won’t want to vote for any of them. Until then I’ll get my news from the BBC.
2 Comments
November 28, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Well, the news networks are only on the air if people watch them, so obviously people like to see the drama and news ratings! They’re just giving the masses what they want! I believe that the 2008 election campaign coverage will consume television viewers because it’s reality TV it it’s best! It’s live drama played out in a national spotlight. Plus, with the writers strike ruining all our favorite scripted dramas and comedies, what else are people going to watch! Just a thought
November 30, 2007 at 9:39 am
Yes, Tracy, you bring up some good points – but are they really giving the masses what they want, or what they want from the choices that exist. And political campaigns as the new reality TV? Interesting … now we just need a good scandal. When does the real mud-slinging begin?