A sincere appeal to the networks

One concerned viewer speaks out

By Amaris White
From the October 2005 Print Edition

Most of the Patriot’s readers are probably the type to closely follow the news. After a long day at work or school, we like to sit down, relax, turn on our computers, and read our favorite news sites, or perhaps turn on the TV and take in the events of the world. We’ve been doing this for years and will continue to do so.

Lately, however, there has been a new trend amongst the news agencies that is becoming more and more disappointing. Rather than focusing on issues that truly matter, on issues that affect every one of us nationally and globally, there is a sense of lost focus. Perhaps that’s what has left me glued to the TV screen more than ever. Concern, even desperation, to hear that one snippet of news to understand and follow what is truly going on in Aruba. Regulars of the cable news world were devastated and immediately hooked when Natalee Holloway’s story was first made public.

But recently, the focus on stories such as hers has been lost. Even Greta’s blog hasn’t been able to satisfy my curiosity – on August 26, her daily updates on the Holloway case disappeared as suddenly as Natalee herself.

It seems as though this is becoming a pattern everywhere. Instead of focusing on stories that truly matter and affect the world around us – Scott Peterson, Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant, Martha Stewart, Mark Hacking, etc. – for no discernable reason, there has been a loss of good news reporting. Turn on the TV today, and all you will see are Katrina victims, the occasional story on the late Justice Rehnquist, or more bickering surrounding Judge John Roberts. Of course, there are the few who care about such minor issues, but is it really too much to ask for something newsworthy?

There was a time when the American people and news networks agreed on what was fit to be broadcast. When I was in second grade, the story of the year was O.J. Simpson’s trial. Regardless of who thought he was guilty, reporters and citizens alike agreed that they really cared about this one issue. The story covered the front pages as much as Nicole’s blood covered O.J.’s Bronco. I remember coming out of the classroom doors for recess to discuss with my friends the verdict over a game of handball. That day it was the only thing on the news, and the only thing going on in the classroom – we’d given up our three R’s for the day just to watch that verdict. Talk about a real day of learning!

But things today are not as simple and straightforward as they once were. Today news sources can’t seem to understand what is important. They interrupt stories of heartfelt pain such as Lori Hacking’s with meaningless discussions about what is going on in Washington, D.C., or perhaps the European Union. These news agencies may have some vested interest because it means they get to travel and experience new things, but the rest of us who go through each day studying or working do not have the time or the resources for such vacations!

The average person stays up all night wondering about Scott. Those of us in Berkeley know that he’s just over the Richmond Bridge in San Quentin, and we wonder what he’s going through, and whether he ever thinks about Laci and Conner. These are the questions we want answered.

The average person holds a secret admiration for Michael, Kobe, and Martha. We may not agree with what they did, but they hold a special place in our hearts, and it is their everyday ups and downs that concern us. This is what is truly newsworthy; their moments affect our moods, our experiences, and the conversations we engage in. These happenings concern every one of us and therefore deserve the full attention of the networks.

Instead we are constantly interrupted with stories we have no interest in. What difference does it make when we hear about the progress being made in Iraq? Why should we care about the legislation being discussed in the Capitol? When will the economic developments in China and other countries ever have an impact on us? How do these issues affect us when they are occurring so far away in such different parts of the globe that we will probably never see them?

Perhaps one day news agencies will realize that what the American people are most interested in seeing and hearing are stories that will affect their everyday lives. They are interested in learning that every last detail of the life of one person who has caught our attention. No stodgy amount of storytelling from far-off lands will change this fact. I can only hope that one day our cries will be heard, and we will no longer have to be interrupted.

The California Patriot encourages all our readers to focus on what really matters, and try to help the victims of the Katrina disaster. Please go to www.redcross.com and do what you can.

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