Blackfive has a thought provoking post on the media and good news stories. He notes:

As for positive media stories, I've seen local Chicago TV stations try a "nice story" segment every night and then have to stop it because it doesn't sell ad space like a homicide or fire (which are important stories). So, I doubt that it would work for Iraq and Afghanistan.

So what would it take to get the Main Stream Media to change it's spots?

(And, ergo, what would it take to get the Main Stream Public to change their desire for car wrecks and disasters?)

Good news won't start selling until they report it as "news" not as some sort of sickeningly sweet, nearly distasteful type of candy. (the current style of reportage)

You will notice that "bad" news starts out with some semblance of fact where you can actually pick up the basic story, THEN they start adding all the wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth by friends and neighbors. With good news you don't get that option to get the story then tune out... You have to listen from the beginning to dreck so cloyingly gooey it makes your stomach turn. They will even occassionally throw in the "moving music" to make your experience even more painful.

And therein lies the biggest problem of all. Not one single news person wants to do a "good" story. Those are the kind you get stuck with when you've ticked off your boss or you're the new guy on the block. I'm sure some people have tried to make the best of it and report it as you would the "real" news, only to be blown off by their superiors and have the story changed out of all meaning. After all - the culture in the news room is that only bad news sells, so only bad news is good. You can't possibly do a decent good news story or people might start to change their minds...

I am afraid that no matter what the news, until they want to change the way the good stuff is presented, then no one will tune in. And until THEY actually decide that good news is worth not only reporting, but reporting well, it will continue to languish with no one paying any attention.

Or you could do what I do and just not watch them at all... blogs are a much better way to find the news - all the news.

UPDATE: Just after I finished posting this I ran across Mudville Gazette's round-up of bloggers on the Mosul attack of Dec. 21, 2004. I rest my case!

Posted by: Teresa in Ho-Hum at 03:52 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Yesterday the Wall Street Journal (Personal Section - the print version) had a story about how the Christmas letter has evolved from a "good news of the year" letter to the "reality bites" letter. In other words, instead of telling people the good things that have happened and keeping the news up beat - they are telling you all the rotten things like divorce, drug rehab, yada yada yada.

Apparently if you write a Christmas letter and focus only on the good stuff - you are considered to be bragging. People (those known ostensibly as your friends) will then laugh at you and ridicule you. So, you should tell everyone how miserable you are - then they will feel sorry for you...

Gee thanks a lot WSJ - like I need people to write me miserable letters on a yearly basis. Well, let me tell you about a couple of different types of letters I have gotten over the years. You tell me if the "reality bites" letter is really the better one to write.

I will rant on in the extended section for those who are interested... more...

Posted by: Teresa in Ho-Hum at 10:34 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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