iSphere
Random Ramblings - almost always cinema related///
Have you noticed the quality of newspapers, TV news and radio news recently? It's appalling. Other than the a few exceptions (notably the wonderful NY Times), the quality of articles on newspapers as well as the news they are reporting are extremely sub- standard. Most broad sheets are lowering themselves to a standard that the so called tabloids exhibit. Take a look at the front page of the Sydney Morning Herald - it has the world changing news about Tom Cruise and his affair with some other actress, take a look at the Australian - who cares about Brad Pitt and his 50th marriage? I certainly don't and I'm sure my opinion is a reflection of thousands of other men and women. In fact good broadsheets are becoming so rare that the art of reading a fully opened broadsheet is slowly becoming extinct.
Articles have also been dipping in standard - the Good Weekend was once a good refreshment on the weekend with some insightful articles and interviews, its now advertisment fodder. It's not matter of truth distortion (ala Frontline) it's a matter of delivering quality news, quality editorials and having something called quality control.
I've noticed in the past 10years TV 6:00pm news has pitiful. Back in 1996 the news used to have a length of 20mins, followed by about 7 or 8 for sport then 2 or 3 for weather and the quirky fact of the day. In 2003 I saw Channel 7 news which lasted for 10mins - had 18 devoted to sport and then 2 mins to weather. From that day I have stopped watching TV news (indeed I have stopped watching TV altogether). ABC and SBS seem intent on delivering something - ABC is too politicised for my liking and SBS has its priorities all mixed up. As far as cable news is concerned BBC and CNN are quite good - FOX news is perhaps the single worst channel airing "George Bush has made a wise decision in not signing the kyoto protocol" is a quote i always remember from that horrid channel.
Radio news is far too commercialised for my liking and the radio reports that often air are so pitiful that major world events often turn into jokes about Howard's eyebrows.
In times like these I wonder how to be informed on major world events, get proffesional opinions, enjoy reading world class editorials and be enlightened on a day to day basis - the number of publications offering such facilites are dwindling but still we have hope - as long as The New York Times exists there might even be some proper reporting. (gasp).
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