Ok, here we go:

Because most people in the U.S. generally see the news media as a public service, a-la, the police or fire department, truth of the matter is, that couldn't be further from the truth. First and foremost, the news media is a business. It has the same fiscal responsibilities as any other company/industry.
It strives for growth, increased profits, etc. etc.

So in trying to evaluate why in the U.S. is the news we get so salacious, the reason is simple. The news media is giving the people what they want.

Yes, that's right, it's our own fault. Because the news media is able to track what keeps people tuned in and what keeps people from channel flipping, the results have further prompted news broadcasters to present segments that will hopefully keep people from flipping over to what ever else is on television.

So as long as the news media has a fiduciary responsibility to it's shareholders, that same media is going to give the audience exactly what keeps the viewers interested.

btw, my undergraduate degree was in Broadcast Journalism. The day I decided that I wanted to have nothing to do with that field post graduation was when I was told I had to "dumb" down my writing for a 3rd grade audience. YES, that is the standard for local broadcast news. They insisted that proper speech be traded with local slang and to try to reach the "greatest common denominator"..

Furthermore, the idea of being objective in a story was secondary to getting the good "sound bites"...

Unfortunately, it is just as much the fault of the audience as it is the fault of the broadcasters. There certainley is better news but that serves a niche market..


- And as long as we are talking about the media, I for one would not mind seeing a change in the Bill of Rights as we know it. Yes, I love a "free press" but I don't think that every press orginizaton should be protected under the 1st Amendment. I believe that only "NOT FOR PROFIT" news orginizations like the (AP) should have the full rights to the 1st Amendment.
Any news orginization that is responsible for generating profits should have stricter rules and regulations that applies to them especially in terms of accountability.
It is of my opinion that the news orginizations take advantage of the "free press" and run over many people's lives unfairly with little to no recourse.

Yes, a free press is essential to a Democracy, but who said that the "free press" need be profit driven corporations.

B

__________________
----------------------------------------------------------

"When two people agree on everything, one of them is not necessary" - Arliss