People criticize modern media for not understanding the importance of news. You bet!
Many universities are proud of their programs in print media and public affairs. Journalism professors speak on and on about the virtues of being a part of your community through a well-written public affairs piece. Journalists can expect to change the world with a written word. What they don't warn you about however is that careers in the mass media are only open to those who are assholes, homosexuals (or those who act like it), or minorities. If you are unlucky enough to be a middle class fair-complexioned mortal, don't even apply, you will be laughed at.
People in the broadcast media are special types of assholes. Those holding the good, off-camera jobs refuse to die and open up their position to someone new. On-air talent, like news anchors, are chosen for their unique voices, winning smiles, and glistening pelts. The only skills required of on-air talent is the ability to read things out loud, point out Andaman & Nicobar Islands on a map and control flatulance for hours at a time. Ever so often, an on-air talent will stumble across an important story to report and follow. The story, regardless of quality, will be given an award and the reporter will spend the rest of their life talking about it.
To better understand the media, one must examine the concepts used by journalists to determine the newsworthiness of a story and, therefore, the relevance the story has to the public. Because let's face it, nobody wants to see the same boring shit about the OPEC meet on reducing oil prices right?
The following is a list of factors professional journalists consider when determining newsworthiness:1) Anything involving friends or relatives of the broadcaster(s) 2) Number of times Salman took his shirt off 3) Who got voted off Indian Idol 4) Tittilation 5) The weddings Amitabh have not gone for 6) The colour of Rakhee's panties in her last performance 7) Sex 8) Why growing Dhoni's pubic hair is his goodluck charm 9) Anything to appease old people 10) This entire list over and ove again!
The best way to exploit your audience is to know who it consists of. The average person reading a daily newspaper is a 74 year old, blue-haired grandma who probably owns more than 10 cats (excluding the strays) and is dumb enough to believe anything in print. The average TV news viewer is a middle-aged male who cares only about sports news or news read by a hot chick. Again, anything with tits (even on men) is bound to pull in viewers. TV news broadcasters can't wait until the Department of Information & Broadcasting allows nude broadcasts. Journalism experts predict huge advertising revenue increases when this form of journalism is allowed.
Pics Courtesy : An e-mail forward.
Forest trek at Lambs Rock, 9 kms from Coonnoor
