Media Feeding Frenzy Cheats Viewers

The sudden passing of music icon and legend Michael Jackson was understandably a shock to much of the nation. Despite the shadows of scandal that plagued Jackson throughout his adult life, the public reverence for his abundant musical talents could not be stifled or quieted to any significant degree.

While it was understandable that the event merited considerable coverage and attention, the disgraceful monopoly of the topic on the television screens and the neglect of nearly any other news story of significance were not. On the contrary, it was totally reprehensible and a lack of disrespect for the viewing public.

Examples are the virtual eclipse of the death of Farah Fawcett. For decades, the love goddess of nearly every young and growing man during the sixties and seventies, and ultimately a development into a formidable and accomplished actress, with brains to match the beauty and an effervescence and devotion to her audience. She had become one of Charlie's Angels and now is one of God's. Her brave and unrelenting battle with cancer showed courage and determination, and drew an international cheering section to her side. Unfortunately, it was unsuccessful but received the chronicling that it deserved, that is until the very end, when Michael Jackson just happened to die at the same time.

TV legend Ed McMahon, companion and strong support system bastion for Johnny Carson, died during the same period, and was barely mentioned. Not because he did not enjoy a lengthy tenure in the TV industry or did not contribute enormously to the people he dealt with or to society in general, but maybe he could not sing or gyrate loudly enough to earn a place in the hierarchy of news prioritizing.

Of course, that doesn't surprise this writer in a day and age that never seems to end in which the accomplishments or failures of nationally well-known athletes receive geometrically disproportionate news space compared to a university professor who makes a unique discovery or to the paragraphless commemoration of a recipient of a Nobel Prize, which is often mentioned in a token sense, or as an "Oh, well, I guess we have to cover this item" type of presentation.

Oh, yes, and while I think of it, there were developments in that country in the Middle East, what's it called, I--I--what is it now? Oh, yes. Iran, I believe. While its people were engaging in struggling and courageous protests trying to capture a taste of their long-deprived democracy, a treasure we enjoy and often ignore, the priority afforded MJ's death swallowed up all available air time with the same nauseating pictures of Michael dancing on the top of cars with a parasol, while a jury was trying to decide his fate. And the Iranian catastrophe was almost preempted; a situation that carried so much meaning to the whole of the globe's international security was totally ignored.

I think it is time we demand from the news media the same compliance with our welfare that we are beginning to require from our legislators, and not anywhere as strongly and vociferously enough, I might add.

Again, the pandering to ratings and to the devil with public welfare.

Time to raise a cry, my friends. And there are others that need to follow in rapid succession.

Comments

[OhComeOnNow]

I can't wait for Wednesday - argggggggggh! I want my news!

[dagnome27]

While you're at it, how about covering the fact that between 2 AM and 6 AM TV turns to "paid programming sh*t"? How is it that the PUBLIC airwaves are being ALLOWED TO BE SOLD instead of being used for worthy programs? HOW MANY INFOMERCIALS do we REALLY NEED???? (Answer, NONE)

[lapdogs]

Wake me up when REAL NEWS starts to get reported on TV again.

Until then, it's all internet all the time, for the news.

[Sunshine444]

I LIKE the coverage, though I would prefer it be a celebration of his lifetime achievements. I don't watch all the war footage anyway, there's no point to it, it's just negative and consciousn­ess-loweri­ng. Which this author wouldn't notice because he lives in those lower vibrations (since he missed it this week). I prefer to travel at higher levels. Let the people mourn this artist's loss and celebrate his message of peace and love and conservation. What you focus on expands. Want to create a more uplifting positive world? - Then focus on it. Mr. Author: don't like the news? Change the channel. I think you don't understand how positive and worldwide the impact was that MJ had. Too bad for you. I hope you find someone, someday, who inspires you in positive ways to be a better person, even if it's just your cat or dog or a kind friend. And then may you learn to not belittle others who want to share the loss of someone they cared for, even if they never met the person. We celebrate this soul's immortality in his art. You should be so lucky to be loved by so many worldwide.

[Jezreel]

The deaths of Farrah Fawcet and Ed McMahon were both mentioned repeatedly. And like Michael Jackson, neither Fawcet nor McMahon were perfect. But MJ was a superstar of unmatched distinction. And for most of his 45 years in entertainment he was a universal icon.

Ed McMahon had a long and outstanding career as an entertainer. He will long be remembered for his role on the Johnny Carson show and the commercial pitches he did for various products. Many Americans will also remember that he hosted "Star Search".

Farrah Fawcet was well known for the year she played a starring role in Charlie's Angels. She was less known for some of her other starring roles.

But niether Fawcet nor McMahon had the international star power or inspired as many entertainers as Michael Jackson.

[SpencerCat]

And neither Fawcett nor McMahon invited little boys to stay overnight in their Neverland mansion.

[tlgeiger62]

I wrote to all the news organizations and even posted how others could do it but alas, it was effective.

Until Palin came along, it seemed it would go on and on. I'm guessing come Monday, we'll be back to it.

I'm sick of it and find it completely embarrassing that as a country this is what the world thinks we all want to see.

[Melissa]

I e-mailed all three cable stations several times this week and I'm sure others did as well. It does not make a difference as their ratings are sky high. The funeral coverage is going to be ridiculas, all anchors are going to be there and CNN starts at 6:00 a.m. This is only the beginning, wait until the will and all the other garbage comes out in the next few weeks.

[gene poole]

If you don't like what you're seeing on your news outlet, change the station. Surf the internet. We all knew Farrah was about to pass. And Ed McMahon was in his late 80's. The Michael Jackson story is riveting. I thank CNN for feeding me the information I wanted about the mysterious death of perhaps the most famous person in the world.

[RRonin]

The news coverage, particularly by CNN, is disgraceful. CNN is now following the lead of "Entertainment Tonight."

[rageagainstmachine]

I have been screaming at my TV - "Can I get a story about Iran now please?" for 3 days.

[Areyoume2]

I am ASHAMED of the media's reaction to Michael Jackson's death. For years, the King of Pop was persona non grata in the news, portrayed with contempt and mockery. But NOW tthat the media is hovering all over him on his death bed - death day - with their contrived pretenses of sentimentality . .

The people loved him - the media used him (and is continuing to do so). I wondered.... how had they reconciled their past never-not-negative coverage with this over-the-top seemingly sensitive coverage. But they're back. They got a ton of ammo now and gave their day of mourning. Now, they're busily doing the quirky dad, the baby- making mommies, the vast holdings, etc. All Michael is to them is a story - to MILK for all it's worth.

Personally, I think Michael was an extraordinarily talented, emotionally diabled man/child. I believe he saw his scary dad's face in his own on the Thriller video - so went white and different. I believe he loved the boys he befriended and valued them, not in a sexual sense, but in a conflicted father to son sense and tween boy to boy sense. The reason he was not found guilty is that it couldn't be established that he was - because society has lines Michael couldn't color within. He needed a good shrink to teach him how to play by the black and white rules of our society and not the flamboyant ones of his making. The media stinks

[JerseyGirl4Obama]

Co-signing here!

[Uncle Kudzu]

i disagree. this media circus is very telling of who we are as people right now. the opportunity to see the slack-jawed idiocy of the collective entertainment society that we are to such a naked degree is priceless. the conditions that converge to allow us to see ourselves in such a state of mass fantasy projection only come down the pike at every few years. let's use this opportunity to see ourselves out our most shallow as a learning moment.

this Roman circus, this feast of the surreal, needs to play out at its ugliest and most vacuous. let her roll!

[Chernynkaya]

Agree. So many people comment on this feel that we "should just change the channel." Fine, but there are no other NEWS channels, they all had MJ coverage 24/7. We are a nation of adolescents. If you love and miss Michael Jackson, I don't want to deny you. Aren't there enough media outlets for everyone? I wouldn't even mind if all the news outlets devoted even HALF their broadcast to MJ coverage, but seriously, the entire newscast? his is embarassing as a nation.

[jamaicalover]

Mr. Segan, if Madonna had suddenly passed away and the media covered her non-stop would you be writing this?

[Jezreel]

Probably not.

[SpencerCat]

YES! He'd be writing the same thing and I'd be responding in the same way.

Enough of the non-stop Michael Jackson coverage. It was old last week and I can't take any more of it. Even though I don't watch TV news anymore, they still sneak a news brief in during commercials and it's still about MJ funeral, autopsy, will or his kids. STOP IT PLEASE.

[justjohn]

Yeah, I was annoyed at the lack of a Rachel Maddow show all this week, too. But I think she was already on hiatus.