TV news coverage bad;
do viewers want change?
I can remember back in the '50s, the news of the day was generally covered late in the afternoon. Chet Huntley and David Brinkley were the best. The idea of editorializing and playing politics with the news came years later, and to make matters worse, the so-called news is on 24 hours a day. The fact that today many of the stories concern problems with no good solutions in sight, such as the wildfires in California, global warming, the covid pandemic and the Afghanistan debacle doesn't make for happy viewers. Of course, you could turn the television off, but for today's viewers under its hynotic spell, that is a lot to ask. Many listeners are not familiar with the news coverage of long ago, and don't know what they are missing.
Today the television coverage of natural disasters and accidents is difficult to watch when the reporter asks the wife how she felt when her husband was killed and whether she plans on remarrying. The reporters thirst for stories that concern a lot of tragedy and tears; talk about being blood thirsty. The problem is that the public loves such coverage and the news people want to keep them happy despite the bad taste involved. At some point you would think there will be a limit to how far the media can go to jazz up their stories, but this is an example of wistful thinking. Good news isn't as exciting as bad news, and reporters are urged to do whatever it takes to outdo their competitors.
Why do you think the public loves stock car racing? Could it be the anticipation of an accident out on the track? How about prize fights, ice hockey games and downhill skiing. Watching the participants take chances of serious injury while viewers are sipping a can of beer. This practice goes all the way back to the early days of the Roman coliseum when the audience watched as wild animals were turned loose on Christians and others, plus fights to the death between gladiators. You have to wonder whether the public has changed much since then.
The solution to this bad state of affairs rests solely on the public. Television producers aren't about to change so long as the public is happy with the coverage. If the public started reading more and engaging in more outdoor activities, and television ratings begin to drop, the producers will take steps to solve the problem. This may take some time, but if you want change you have to start somewhere. It's all about profits. One idea is for a national organization to be formed with the sole purpose of causing the television overage to be changed. As you know, strength in number is what works. However, if you are satisfied with the news as it is today, sit on your hands and do nothing.
Bass Trumbo
Fayetteville
Jesus isn't poster boy
for vaccine campaign
Thank you for printing Rosa Floyd's eloquent response (Sept. 7) to the cartoon depicting Jesus showing Thomas the place of his covid vaccination. The wounds in his hands, feet and side are infinitely more healing than a vaccine.
I am pro-vaccine, but don't appreciate making Jesus Christ the subject of a covid shot campaign.
The Rev. David LeSieur
Rogers