Just What is News?

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Just in case you aren’t aware, I am a news junkie. My fabulous = me curled up on the couch with pajamas, coffee, CNN BBC / CBC, laptop (because I like to read at the same time) and a cozy throw. Like now!

You’d assume then, that I know what new is, right? Right! Well, you’d be wrong, because I’ve found myself constantly thinking over the past several weeks –> THAT IS NOT NEWS! That is so NOT important! Tell me something that matters!

I am going to assume that CNN knows more about ‘what news is’ than I do. Therefore, I can only assume I know very little about what news is!

Apparently news is:

Custom made wool coats by J. Crew for the Obama girls, evidently a wise choice of clothing due to it’s affordability to the average American. If that’s accessible, I am a monkey’s uncle. When was the last time J. Crew drew mock-ups and created a one of kind coat for your kid?

I don’t want to know about the Obama’s shopping choices, I want to know about President Obama’s foreign policy choices. The coats are lovely, the girls are lovely, but they aren’t news, are they? It’s not important… it just doesn’t matter. It might deserve a mention on Inauguration Day, to fill in the gaps between star sightings and Bush bashing. I don’t think it deserves repeated airtime 4 days later! Stop it with the stinking coat coverage CNN. I don’t care about the periwinkle wool, the coral/pink combination, the frugal yet stylish satin ribbon ties. Do you?

I do care about the more than 400 children that died in Gaza over the past few weeks. I want to know and understand more about little Samar who was shot in the back at close range by Israelis defense forces. Her family was ordered to leave their home, then while the women and children exited waving a white flag all but Samar and her grandmother (who were both wounded), were shot dead.

peace
This man stood on the street of Canmore, Alberta on December 31st, 2008 (it was minus -20). He was protesting against Israel’s occupation of Gaza. Notice the right side of the box it reads: This will NOT make the news! Sadly, he was right. I wonder how the rest of the world feels when we talk about ribbons and fashion, and ignore atrocities?

I’ve recently switched to watching the BBC and CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). They’re not perfect, but they are at least reporting stories of substance … mostly.

3 of the top 10 stories at CNN.com today:

Caylee Anthony’s grandfather reported missing, later found.
Kelly Osbourne in ‘medical facility’
Sasha’s smile could be a guide to our future

3 of the top 10 stories at BBC.com today:

Green light for US stem cell work
Deadly missiles strike Pakistan
DR Congo seeks Nkunda extradition

3 of the top 10 stories at CBC.ca

Obama meets with Democrat, Republican leaders on stimulus plan
FDA approves embryonic stem cell trial for humans
Rwanda arrests Congo rebel leader Laurent Nkunda

Dear Lord, please tell me that things haven’t gotten so terrible that the leader of the free world is going to rely on the smile of a seven year old to guide us into the future! Please!

And CNN … you promise NEWS … it’s time to ‘shit or get off the pot’! –> Sorry Anderson even though you’re hot, I have to move on!

MK xo
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23 Comments

Jenn B · January 23, 2009 at 12:52 pm

amen!

Jenn B’s last blog post..Twitter Updates from 2009-01-18

Andrea · January 23, 2009 at 1:10 pm

yep…sad but true!! Honestly? I don’t even bother to watch the new most times anymore…

Andrea’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – In Our Shoes

Cindi · January 23, 2009 at 1:14 pm

Happy Friday! I really agree with you. Sad state of affairs! There are times that I don’t want to know the real truth, unless I can do something about it. I can always hope and pray! Did you know that Anderson Cooper is the son of Gloria Vanderbilt?! Thanks, Cindi

    MommyKnows · January 23, 2009 at 1:28 pm

    @ Cindi – I did know that! I’ve also heard he’s gay, which has put a HUGE damper on my fantasy life, in which Anderson and I run away together to cover ‘important’ stories in war zones.

One Scrappy Gal · January 23, 2009 at 1:19 pm

YES! I don’t care about Demi Moore’s hangnail! Tell me what’s happening in the world!

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Grog · January 23, 2009 at 3:16 pm

Wow….you’re in a mood today!

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MommyKnows · January 23, 2009 at 3:32 pm

@ Grog – I guess I am. It doesn’t concern you that the world’s leading news source runs stories about pure and utter drivel? Not because they have to, but because that is what the general public wants to see. How can the world be better if we don’t understand and deal with the issues. This is why atrocities like Rwanda happen while we are not looking!

Naomi · January 23, 2009 at 4:08 pm

At least on CNN they’re not yelling at you like the Fox News my parents always have on. But what’s up with all the showbiz crap?! I’d rather listen to NPR or watch BBC world news.

Naomi’s last blog post..How Yummie is your Tummie?

    MommyKnows · January 23, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    @Naomi — I don’t even turn Fox on! The ‘slant’ is the wrong way for me ;)

Safire · January 23, 2009 at 5:02 pm

And this is why I’ve stopped watching the news. Sad sad.

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Haiboss · January 23, 2009 at 8:44 pm

I just stopped by your blog and thought I would say hello. I like your site design. Looking forward to reading more down the road.

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    MommyKnows · January 24, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    Thanks for stopping by Haiboss! Come back soon.

Madeline · January 23, 2009 at 10:03 pm

I’ve been terribly unimpressed with news sources in general. They are generally either vapid or biased (whether right or left leaning I don’t care-news shouldn’t lean either way). Although vapid is the worst of the offenses. I mean, really, I love fashion, but leave it to the fashion magazines to report on the winter apparel of the Obama girls.

Madeline’s last blog post..Twitterpated

    MommyKnows · January 24, 2009 at 9:07 pm

    @Madeline — I couldn’t agree more. I don’t mind hearing about the coats, just not during the news! People magazine, Entertainment tonight, might be better venues.

Wendy · January 24, 2009 at 2:12 pm

Though we have lived in the USA for 7 years now, hubs and I continue to be baffled by what constitutes ‘news’ here. Don’t mean to be self-righteous, but this is not the way most other countries cover news. We only get basic cable, so no BBC or other real news options…thank goodness for the internet!

First time seeing your blog. The ski photos were delightful! Please tell me what camera you are using. I am in the market to upgrade. Thanks!

    MommyKnows · January 24, 2009 at 9:06 pm

    @Wendy — We have friends in the States and they use a Canadian satellite, so they get all the Canadian stuff and USA too.

    My camera is a Nikon D300 — I love it!

    Thanks for stopping by.

jafer · January 24, 2009 at 4:30 pm

Well, I have to say I’m the total opposite of you (even if our birthdays are the same day). I don’t give a flying farg about the news any more, and some kid’s coat might actually interest me, although I wouldn’t go looking for it. I don’t watch it, I don’t read it, and if I happen to hear it on the radio, I most likely forget it afterwards.

As far as I’m concerned, I’m pretty oblivious to what’s going on in the world (Obama who?) and I don’t really even care. If I had to make small talk at a party, it wouldn’t be about current affairs obviously.

jafer’s last blog post..How Stupid am I?

    MommyKnows · January 24, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    Jafer – you’re an “Idiot on Stick” – Bwahahaha! — Sorry I couldn’t resist :)

lucy · January 24, 2009 at 7:29 pm

great post. and I full heartedly agree.

lucy’s last blog post..Stand Up for Change….

    MommyKnows · January 24, 2009 at 9:05 pm

    @Lucy — thanks Lucy, you’re obviously a genius … like me!

Grog · January 28, 2009 at 11:17 am

This is turning out to be one of my favorite blog sites!
I watch CNN because they report things real time as they happen. They sure do report on crap from time to time. I guess I have always been a fan ever since the fabulous reporting they did in Iraq during the first Gulf War.

Grog’s last blog post..Cholera Fatalities Rising In Zimbabwe

Allen McAlister · January 28, 2009 at 6:08 pm

The news is not what it used to be. I ended up selling my T.v. just to get away from the commericals and the news.

I do check cnn.com about once a week, but lately its been more like once a month.

I personally like news from small towns, like the cow that got out of the pasture and went for a walk. It much more exciting to me.

allen

Fotograf · August 21, 2011 at 4:30 am

I do agree with all the ideas you have presented in your post. They are really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are very short for newbies. Could you please extend them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.

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