The Gores: Why We Care
This evening, the leading story on CNN's political section of their news website was not one about the oil spill, or a Don't Ask Don't Tell opinion piece. Rather, the page was overwhelmed by a photograph of Al Gore and his (soon-to-be) ex-wife.
As announcements come out today that another of our nation's political power couples is breaking up, Americans are glued to the reports, just as they are for every other disintegration of a modern marriage or relationship, and the media continues to capitalize on our interest. For the last few years, the American media has enabled every bad habit of American consumers- our over-obsession with celebrity, our dismissal of important news, and our love for 'junk-food' information- the sort of news that feels good to read, but just is not good for the national conversation.
It is unreasonable for the top political story of the day to be about a high-profile divorce. This is simply a continuation of current media trends where the US news organizations put a strong focus on giving consumers what they want, rather than what they need. Sure, this means higher profit margins and happier consumers, but it also means less educated and less informed citizens participating in national politics.
Celebrity gossip doesn't have to disappear in order for the focus to go back to true news. It just needs to be a less prominent category for reporting, and news organizations must appreciate that it is their job to inform the public, not to please it.
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As announcements come out today that another of our nation's political power couples is breaking up, Americans are glued to the reports, just as they are for every other disintegration of a modern marriage or relationship, and the media continues to capitalize on our interest. For the last few years, the American media has enabled every bad habit of American consumers- our over-obsession with celebrity, our dismissal of important news, and our love for 'junk-food' information- the sort of news that feels good to read, but just is not good for the national conversation.
It is unreasonable for the top political story of the day to be about a high-profile divorce. This is simply a continuation of current media trends where the US news organizations put a strong focus on giving consumers what they want, rather than what they need. Sure, this means higher profit margins and happier consumers, but it also means less educated and less informed citizens participating in national politics.
Celebrity gossip doesn't have to disappear in order for the focus to go back to true news. It just needs to be a less prominent category for reporting, and news organizations must appreciate that it is their job to inform the public, not to please it.
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