Well, after two months of blood, sweat and tears its finally over! For your reading pleasure, here is my senior research paper (Its REALLY long!).<br><br>Rumors, Lies, and Malaise<br><br>        I've never gotten over the feeling that print journalism is any more legitimate than broadcasting. I wouldn't want to defend that in front of my broadcasting friends, butÂ… that's the way it is."(Cormier NP). Walter Chronkite spoke true words when he said this, and it still holds true today. Every evening in America, tasteless trash in the form of sensational news is allowed en masse into the homes of unsuspecting American citizens. What is a major source of all of this vile scum? The answer is televised news programs. Over the past few years, and unsettling trend of sensationalism has occurred in the American field of journalism at an alarming rate. This tendency to sensationalize negative news reports has corrupted American broadcast journalism to the point where little separates nightly news programs from supermarket tabloids.<br>        Today, televised news programs are clearly subjected to sensationalism. For the American people, television has become the main source of news. We simply disregard all other sources (Medved NP). From the first opening seconds of a news program to the closing credits, we are assaulted by innumerable accounts of negative news. This eventually becomes elevated to a point where the negative news eliminates any positive stories from the newscast (NP).<br>        In addition, the apparent importance of any particular report seems to have been boosted. God forbid that a news production air without having any injuries or fatalities occur throughout the day to report, not as much as a single drop of blood shed. Such a tragedy - often referred to as a slow day for news in the news business (Kerbel 13) - is evidently unacceptable. Therefore, "newsies" (as they are called), will go at any length to spice up the usual bland stories, thus noticeable stereotypes emerge. Emotional, hysterical comments from individuals are sought by reporters over reasoned, rational ones in order to enhance the dialog (18) . In any case, these reports appear worse than they actually are (14); they are mountains built out of mole hills.<br>        In order to boost the importance of a mundane report, certain elements must be added or created within the report. The images that we see on television are not nearly as powerful as the newscasters would have us believe (Cormier NP). In the process of filming and editing a report, special camera angles are combined with creative writing in order to gain the attention of viewers (Kerbel 15). Another obvious trick that is utilized ad museum is the needless repetition of footage. This repetition is frequently used as filler to provide longer periods of airtime that the report can normally occupy (48) . The use of colorful language is at least as important as the creative application of footage, because the validity of what images are broadcast depends entirely on what verbal explanations accompany them (Hewitt NP). Naturally, this is the part of television news that is affected the most by sensationalism (Kerbel 52).<br>        As with many other parts of life, the sensationalization of news is caused by numerous factors. The foremost of these is the amount of attention the public gives to news programs. In the broadcast community, the success of any individual or group depends entirely on the ratings that a program receives (Sass 159), which is the scale to which all programs are compared, and what they are created for (Hewitt NP). Because of this concern with ratings, broadcast journalism has subordinated professional journalistic attitudes to popular entertainment values born of Hollywood (Sass 160). This is accentuated by the fact that forty percent of an AmericanÂ’s free time is occupied by viewing television (Day 11). The Neilson corporation measures how much of this time is devoted to certain networks, stations, and programs through a box installed on one television in ten thousand randomly selected homes across the United States. This box records the time of day, what station the television is tuned to, and how long the television is tuned in. For one week in the months of February, May, and November, this data is collected and interpreted in a period called sweeps week (Kerbel 51). It is during this tense period that the rate that sensational reports are broadcast increase (51).<br>        With the advent of newer technology in broadcasting, more people can be reached with television, making it a phenomenal marketing tool, thus corporations are eager to invest in that possible market. These corporations look on their networks and stations as if they were like any other business operation (Bell NP). Because of television news broadcasting, and those in charge of the growing numbers of corporations that are gobbling up television news operations feel obligated to work for the best interest of the corporation (Cormier NP). The insatiable thirst for profit compels corporations to insist that their news operations receive good ratings, since it is ratings that determine where advertisers will spend their money on ads (Sass 159).<br>        “Good journalism is the best obtainable version of the truth. Too often weÂ’re loosing sight of that ideal Â… seeing a global journalistic culture that has less to do with the truth, reality, or context.” (“Influence” NP). Carol BernsteinÂ’s statement contains much truth, as it relates to the scarred state of broadcast journalism. Competing news operations may be held responsible for a significant amount of the lost trust and respect for journalists and journalism as a whole by the public (Bell NP). In addition, news anchors have recently shifted from being mere news anchors to become powerful “television personalities” (Sass 160), reducing their credibility. All of this is not including the fact that, in the old days a news divisionsÂ’ success was measured by the kudos they received from the public, their colleagues, and competitors. Now, success is measured by the quality (or lack thereof) of the broadcast material that they create to gain ratings (Hewitt NP). However, there are journalists out there who do “see the light”, and agree with the criticisms of their profession (Bell NP).<br>        All of the effects of sensationalism that have been discussed thus far have given broadcast journalism some of the same qualities that tabloid magazines possess. According to the intense competition to gain ratings, the distinctions have blurred between tabloid magazines and television news (“Influence” NP). Because of this, todayÂ’s television news continues to degenerate into an ever-deepening quagmire of tabloid competition (Bell NP). Many years ago, the standards and practices governed the actions of television news departments. Most of those ethical guidelines are now vestigial (Hewitt NP). The continuing tendency to sensationalize negative news reports has seduced viewers to accept this tendency as normal. It has betrayed any claims to authenticity that the television news business may have (Sass 160).<br>        The credibility of news in general has diminished. Gore Vidal states that “Television is now so desperately hungry for material that theyÂ’re now scraping the bottom of the barrel.” (Day 11). Mr. Vidal makes an interesting point: television seems at times to exhaust any credible material, and instead broadcasts trash, valuing entertainment over information. Television news networks are now nothing more than the televised version of tabloid magazines (Hewitt NP). TodayÂ’s televised news programs give enormous amounts of airtime to sensational news in the name of ratings, even at the expense of credible news (“Influence” NP). With the recent advances in technology, news can spread quickly, allowing reports to receive airtime that never would have received any in the past (Bell NP). Lately, because of this, the priorities of the television news industry have become the single greatest victory for American idiocy (“Influence” NP). As such, news divisions are more concerned with filling airtime easily and cheaply rather than cover credible news (Hewitt NP). Over time, the intelligence of network news is degenerating, all because the news operations public good (Cormier NP). Television news is, as broadcasters say, entitled to insinuate, glamorize, and speculate in the name of entertainment (Sass 160).<br>        Not much thought is required to realize that what goes on television has been carefully selected and adapted for its entertainment value only. Within our television obsessed culture, the difference between news and entertainment is now virtually nonexistent (Medved NP), since in the philosophy of broadcasters, everything MUST have an entertainment value (Sass 160). The main problem with this is the fact that pronouncing news as entertainment causes entertainment to be considered news (160). In the past it was considered dishonest and unethical to cross the line between news and entertainment (Hewitt NP). While surface impressions (Medved NP) and confrontations (Kerbel 78) are the bread and butter of television news, it is nevertheless a simple headline service (“Influence” NP), forcing out any positive stories. That is however, not to say that there is no positive news that airs. Much to the contrary, at least one little uplifting segment to reassure viewers that not all is bad in the world - and it airs at the end of the newscast (Kerbel 44). With the exception of these small doses, positive news does not equate to good ratings worthy television (Medved NP). Because of this fact, negative stories outweigh positive ones (NP).<br>        Responsibility for sensationalism rests with two separate parties, depending on your point of view. Sensational stories clearly subjugate any hard news, due to the competitive nature of todayÂ’s networks, and more importantly, where our tastes lie (Cormier NP). The few individuals that are critical of the networksÂ’ choices do not worry the networks, for they know that those who take the news seriously read newspapers. In the past, trained journalists kept a close watch on what was and was not fit for broadcast, and did so effectively and autonomously (Bell NP). Such is no longer the case. Due to economic and competitive pressures, journalistic standards were altered for the sake of ratings (NP). With the choice of airing sensational stories, or the networks are catering to public tastes, which is not in the publicÂ’s best interest (Cormier NP). Many respected leaders in journalism have stated that misleading the masses compromises any professional integrity that they once had (“Influence” NP).<br>        Perhaps, those whom are the most responsible for the sensational nature of broadcast journalism is ourselves, the American public. Human beings tend to want things simple, such is especially true with broadcasting. We want information in small, easily digested and absorbed pieces (Day 11). Another fact of human nature is the attraction to drama (Cormier NP), which is something that ratings show that we can not get enough of (Bell NP). In addition, stories that play on fear, sickness, suffering, and pain attract us intensely (Cormier NP). Often, titillation is the biggest attraction, as the old adage goes “Sex sells.” Rationality can and usually does take a back seat to entertainment (Medved NP). In essence, there exists a discrepancy between what we want from television news, which is quality broadcasting, and what we respond to, which is sensationalism (Bell NP). Who we claim to be responsible for the sensationalization of broadcast journalism is not the networks, but is really the effect of our own malaise (NP).<br>        All too often today in America, negative news is given top priority. Whether it be the news organizations responding to what the public wishes to see, or to simply get ratings, news is broadcast in the name of the almighty dollar. If television news is to be the bastion of truth that it once was, something must be done. In a democratic nation such as ours, it is imperative that we not only have a free press, but a free press that accurately and unbiasedly informs the people.<br> <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub19.ezboard.com/btenchimuyo79943.showUserPublicProfile?gid=neokamidake>Neo Kamidake</A>  <IMG SRC="http://www.ezboard.com/ezgfx/gicons/anim_1.gif" BORDER=0> at: 1/10/03 1:59:23 pm<br></i>

I like it and I turned off emoticons so it looks better. <p><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/historyofkingsisland"><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.unitedanime.com/degen78/2003.jpg" style="border:0;"alt="inuyasha"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br></a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> <!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->I sold my soul to Viacom<br>oO ChibiYosho Oo: Its Rolercorterieie<br></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--> </p><i></i>

Somehow I thought that you all would have more of an opinion.... <p>Neo Kamidake<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>"I read somewhere that 77% of all the mentally ill live in poverty. Actually, I'm more intrigued by the 23% who are apparently doing quite well for themselves." <!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->-Emo Philips <br></em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>that that is is that that is not is not is that it it is</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, will now attempt the impossible with absolutely nothing.</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->[a href=http://pub19.ezboard.com/bneokamidakesrealm]Visit Neo Kamidake's Realm![/a]<br></p><i></i>

we all know that the media is a bunch of collective s*itheads. I was very intreagued (SP). The paper is well written. <p><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/historyofkingsisland"><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.unitedanime.com/degen78/2003.jpg" style="border:0;"alt="inuyasha"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br></a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> <!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->I sold my soul to Viacom<br>oO ChibiYosho Oo: Its Rolercorterieie<br></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--> </p><i></i>

Thanks. It took me 2 days to write the damn thing! <p></p><i></i>

YES! I got a 95% A for my paper! Just thought that I'd share the info.... <p>Neo Kamidake, Resident Gundam Fanboy<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>"Why are you dropping this thing on Earth?! The Earth will get too cold and people won't be able to live there. There'll be a nuclear winter..."<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->-Capt. Amuro Rei<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->"People who live on Earth think only of themselves. So I declared that I would exterminate them."<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->-Col. Char Aznable</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://pub19.ezboard.com/bneokamidakesrealm">Visit Neo Kamidake's Realm!</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br></p><i></i>

Kewl, good job - Let's celebrate!<br><br>MJH hands NK a pint of *Guinness*<br><br>*Cheers!* <p><center><a href="http://pub49.ezboard.com/banimecommunity71285"><img border="0" src="http://users.adelphia.net/~henheart/images/ruri4.jpg" alt="banimecommunity71285" width="384" height="199"></a><br><b><a href="http://pub49.ezboard.com/banimecommunity71285">Anime Community</a> Where Luna's Body Went</b><br><b><a href="http://pub92.ezboard.com/bmidnightlagoonmessageboard">Midnight Lagoon</a> Tenchi Muyo!</b></center></p><i></i>

Hey, I saw that MJH ^^ <br><br>Nicely written, now I'm jealous ^^ <p><!--EZCODE HR START--><hr /><!--EZCODE HR END--><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://villageanime.com"><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.villageanime.com/zoids/rpg/Ryokoback.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>"Say it to my gun barrel, you jerk!"<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->- Raven, Zoids Guardian Force<br><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://pub49.ezboard.com/banimecommunity71285">AnimeCommunity</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://pub92.ezboard.com/bmidnightlagoonmessageboard">Midnight Lagoon</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--></p><i></i>

Thanks for the complements! What are you jealous of? My paper, or the guiness? <p>Neo Kamidake, Resident Gundam Fanboy<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>"Why are you dropping this thing on Earth?! The Earth will get too cold and people won't be able to live there. There'll be a nuclear winter..."<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->-Capt. Amuro Rei<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->"People who live on Earth think only of themselves. So I declared that I would exterminate them."<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->-Col. Char Aznable</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://pub19.ezboard.com/bneokamidakesrealm">Visit Neo Kamidake's Realm!</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br></p><i></i>

The paper ...*nods* ...<br><br>Yes. The paper ^^ <p><!--EZCODE HR START--><hr /><!--EZCODE HR END--><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>"Say it to my gun barrel, you jerk!"<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->- Raven, Zoids Guardian Force<br><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://pub49.ezboard.com/banimecommunity71285">AnimeCommunity</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://pub92.ezboard.com/bmidnightlagoonmessageboard">Midnight Lagoon</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--></p><i></i>

What's to be jealous of? You said yourself that you graduated from high school at the top of your class! Certainly you can write a paper of the same caliber, at least that's the impression that I got... <p>Neo Kamidake, Resident Gundam Fanboy<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>"Why are you dropping this thing on Earth?! The Earth will get too cold and people won't be able to live there. There'll be a nuclear winter..."<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->-Capt. Amuro Rei<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->"People who live on Earth think only of themselves. So I declared that I would exterminate them."<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->-Col. Char Aznable</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://pub19.ezboard.com/bneokamidakesrealm">Visit Neo Kamidake's Realm!</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br></p><i></i>

Hehe ...well, that might be true. But I also went to a California school ..and well ..there you have it .. <p><!--EZCODE HR START--><hr /><!--EZCODE HR END--><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>"Say it to my gun barrel, you jerk!"<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->- Raven, Zoids Guardian Force<br><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://pub49.ezboard.com/banimecommunity71285">AnimeCommunity</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://pub92.ezboard.com/bmidnightlagoonmessageboard">Midnight Lagoon</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--></p><i></i>

California school? I'm live in Florida, and the education system here is pretty bad, but I have no idea as to how we compare to Cali. Besides the point, I'm no where near graduating in even the top 25% of my class! I can blame that on being lazy my freshman year and failing two classes... <p>Neo Kamidake, Resident Gundam Fanboy<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>"Why are you dropping this thing on Earth?! The Earth will get too cold and people won't be able to live there. There'll be a nuclear winter..."<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->-Capt. Amuro Rei<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->"People who live on Earth think only of themselves. So I declared that I would exterminate them."<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END-->-Col. Char Aznable</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://pub19.ezboard.com/bneokamidakesrealm">Visit Neo Kamidake's Realm!</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br></p><i></i>