Journalism has a new meaning... or was it the vague impression born out the better qualities displayed by journalists from the yore, that is helplessly clashing with these modern tasteful times. There is too much oxymoron in this sentence. Perhaps due to the confusion created by what is happening in the media.
Two celebrities Michael Jackson & Patrick Swayze died recently, and apparently there is a rejoice in the media. A frenzy of shows have poured over, recounting the last days and then the glory days. When Michael was alive the media called him "Whacko-Jacko" and now in his death, he is remembered as the "King of pop". Swayze perhaps did not have too much weirdness in his personal life to have been forgotten, until he came out with his fight against pancreatic cancer. Why is the media controlling the life of these great artists of our life time? The media seems to be in complete control of our emotions.
While I am writing this, a warning light is blinking in my head - Hypocrite? I am using the media to fight the media. The sole purpose of the blog is to expose this lack of justice to the people like Michael and Swayze.
What kind of memories did Michael take with him when he died? Swayze gave us all an example of dignity and courage in his passing. I just feel we all need to offer this gratitude to these folks while they are alive than using them to sell news.
As per Merriam-Webster
"Journalism" is
"2 a : writing designed for publication in a newspaper or magazine b : writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation c : writing designed to appeal to current popular taste or public interest";
I take offense to the meaning in "c". "Appeal to the popular taste"!! I'm certain that this is not at the expense of "b" .."presentation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation".
There was much more honor in reporting and being civilized, or so I want to believe.
Now it seems we are living like beasts, saved by all the fine prints in the legal documents. Recently Kayne West decided to exercise the first amendment, insulting a fellow musician Taylor Swift. After which he apologized profusely on Jay Leno's show. Serena Williams must have scared the living day lights out of the lines-woman at the US Open, and then "almost" apologized.
I thought saying "I'm sorry" meant feeling "ashamed". These days spouting these hollow apologies made infamous in the media is a sign of character. Just because you have these handy-dandy apologies lying around does not give you the right to be a jack-ass to begin with.
There is a cost to character and it has nothing to do with having a PR.We all need to understand this responsibility towards other people and ourselves. Even if the media makes a "wrong" look like "conditionally right" we all know the truth in our hearts. Following this conscientiousness may not be the fashion this season, but it has to be over our lifetime, if at all we wish to remain civilized.
