Are you one of the many people who are sick and tired of overblown cable news programming, and favor local Rochester NY news? Sure, when we watched the United States attack Iraq back in February of 1991 from our safe, warm sofas, it was novel and even exciting in a twisted sort of way. The same might been said of the O.J. Simpson Trial, and even the so called Shock and Awe in March of 2003. But when is it enough? How much violent, trashy, sensationalized news do we need?
Unlike local Rochester news, it is no secret that national cable news thrives on sensationalism. But what do they do during those slow times when there are no wars, acts of terror, or high profile celebrity murder cases? Well, they high jack, manufacture, and enhance, so to speak, certain random stories, and serve them up to an eager public that has been seduced by sensationalism.
Although stories like the Trayvon Martin, Lacy Peterson, and Elizabeth Smart cases are undeniably tragic. From a national perspective, dozens of equally tragic cases occur every day. However, they may not meet the proper criteria, or timing, for national coverage. Considering the fact that cable news stations are fighting for viewers, they will scour every county in America for the most tragic and controversial stories of the day, and hype those stories they feel possess the greatest potential for sensationalization. If you are at all skeptical of this assertion, look more closely at the above examples.
Lacy Peterson was a cute, pregnant, White woman from a typical, suburban Modesto, California neighborhood. With her big smile, she was the last person to which these things happen. Then you have Elizabeth Smart, a Blonde, and White, 14 year old who was abducted from her affluent, suburban Salt Lake City home. Again, these things just do not happen to innocent Mormon girls, either. Last, and certainly not least, is the recent Trayvon Martin murder trial, in which the Caucasian defendant, George Zimmerman was not surprisingly acquitted. There is nothing more sensational than a White man killing an innocent, defenseless, Black teenager.
The news media knew that each of these stories met the necessary criteria to indulge public interest. This is especially true of the Trayvon Martin case, for the racial aspect was certain to stir controversy. During the trial you could almost feel the hopeful anticipation as the media held its breath for a Not Guilty verdict. Obviously, an acquittal would be ideal tinder to keep this story smoldering for some time.
This is how cable news differs from local Rochester news. A considerable portion of what you get is the most corrupt form of reality television. Unlike watching 8 or 10 exhibitionist buffoons eagerly making fools of themselves, it is disturbing to think that tens of thousands of cable news viewers derive voyeuristic pleasure from witnessing the hardships and tragedies of others. This is the reason that many people still prefer local Rochester New York news. They want only the news stories that are most relevant to their lives and perhaps the forecast for the week.
When real life tragedy becomes entertainment, it is probably time people reconsider their priorities. While we should never turn a blind eye to tragedy, we should not condone socially disconnected enjoyment of it, either. The best Rochester news does not feed into this.