Is this really News?

[Adam Caramon]

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/22/showbiz/prince-harry-photos/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

Do folks in the UK care when the prince goes out and has a good time? Seems like such a nothing story to Americans, but kind of curious what the UKer's think.

 

[pbaldy]

I don't think it's news, but I also don't think it's news that celebrity "A" was seen out with celebrity "B" and "are they dating" or whatever. Or whether celebrities "C" and "D" are separating. It goes on and on ad nauseam.

I had occasion to meet the President recently, and was amazed at the number of press following him like a pack of rabid dogs, taking pictures of everything he did. If he bent down to tie his shoes they were snapping pictures. Similarly, the Prince is a public figure, and subject to the same fascination people seem to have with knowing everything about their lives. It's not something unique to the UK.

Get a life people!

 

[Isskint]

It is not really news; news would be a 5 yr old child being molested or someome being attacked in the street etc. Sadly for TMZ (and subsequently CNN) they were having a quiet news day and feel the need to manufacture a news story. Were any of the other people in the photos so readily promoted as news stories?

CNN made a big deal about how the British press barely touched on the 'story', the fact is non british media make more of royal happenings becasue they hold the royals in an elitist/priviliged standing - something akin to gods in ancient Greece - whereas us brits (on the whole) just accept them as the family of our head of state. Sure if one got involved in some murky dealings or a real crime then that would be news.

It is another sign of news media trying to dictate the pace of current news, like the british media making a big song and dance about Ecuador and its record of civil rights due to the Julian Assange problems.

I have a simple answer to all of this; I do not read newspapers and rarely watch the news

 

[Fifty2One]

So Prince Harry goes naked to play pool and goes in the swimming pool with clothes on... you would think that people who would end up being stalked for such incredibly stupid lack of judgement would make sure they did not do such idiotic acts... how old is he like 16 or just has the mind and social graces of a juvenile on spring break?

 

[MarkK]

It is sort of weird, I think, that our society fosters this 'cult of celebrity.' It's so false. We attribute so much value to people who, for the most part, are famous because they can convincingly pretend to be someone else (actors) or who make music. It doesn't follow, for me, that what these people say or how they live is of some superior importance.

Check out the top 20 most-followed people on twitter and they are all, except for the Dalai Lama, entertainers. I want to hear what thinkers have to say, scientists and professors and people who have a reputation for being smart.

 

[RainLover]

I want to hear what thinkers have to say, scientists and professors and people who have a reputation for being smart.

They print it because we read it.
We read it because they print it.
We discuss it because we read it.

We care because we are interested enough to re print it right here.

That is what sells papers.

 

[Vassago]

They print it because we read it.
We read it because they print it.
We discuss it because we read it.

We care because we are interested enough to re print it right here.

That is what sells papers.

That's what it comes down to... right there.

But, we also allow them to tell us what is worth talking about. They really do control pop culture.

 

[MarkK]

But, we also allow them to tell us what is worth talking about. They really do control pop culture.

But if this is true, then are you saying that there is no democracy? If we don't shape the message, if it is inescapably shaped for us, then it's just a money driven totalitarian state; a plutocracy. Nooooooooo.

 

[Vassago]

But if this is true, then are you saying that there is no democracy? If we don't shape the message, if it is inescapably shaped for us, then it's just a money driven totalitarian state; a plutocracy. Nooooooooo.

How else can Nickelback sell so many records? :banghead:

 

[MarkK]

Lol. And did you hear the latest? Chad Kroeger and Avril Lavigne are engaged! OMFG.

People magazine wonders if he's going to buy her a stairway to heaven. Nooooooooo! *bang*

*lagbolt shoots self* *misses* *bang* *shoots again* :banghead:

 

[bob fitz]

Lol. And did you hear the latest? Chad Kroeger and Avril Lavigne are engaged! OMFG.

People magazine wonders if he's going to buy her a stairway to heaven. Nooooooooo! *bang*

*lagbolt shoots self* *misses* *bang* *shoots again* :banghead:

Is THIS news?

Are there any pictures on the net yet?

 

[MarkK]

Is THIS news?

Nooooooo. *bang*

 

[Adam Caramon]

They print it because we read it.
We read it because they print it.
We discuss it because we read it.

As far as tabloids or talk shows, I think you're right.

We care because we are interested enough to re print it right here.

That is what sells papers.

Here, I disagree. A discussion forum on an Access site does not generate revenue for a news organization. What sells papers is people buying the papers. If you purchase a magazine or have a subscription to a newspaper, you have some responsibility for what is in that magazine/newspaper.

I have never in my life purchased a tabloid, because I don't want my money going towards those kind of organizations. I don't care what celebrities are up to in their personal lives.

So, if you're one of those people that buys a tabloid in the supermarket, remember that you're helping support the people that come up with headlines such as "Bigfoot - he really does exist (pictures inside)".

How else can Nickelback sell so many records?

Nickelback gets so much hate from people, but somehow they are still incredibly popular. I freely admit I like most of their music. It isn't meaningful or artistic, but it is definitely something you can rock out too.

Get a life people!

That about sums it up right there.

 

[RainLover]

As far as tabloids or talk shows, I think you're right.

Here, I disagree. A discussion forum on an Access site does not generate revenue for a news organization. What sells papers is people buying the papers. If you purchase a magazine or have a subscription to a newspaper, you have some responsibility for what is in that magazine/newspaper.

I have never in my life purchased a tabloid, because I don't want my money going towards those kind of organizations. I don't care what celebrities are up to in their personal lives.

So, if you're one of those people that buys a tabloid in the supermarket, remember that you're helping support the people that come up with headlines such as "Bigfoot - he really does exist (pictures inside)".

As a matter of interest most of our papers are now tabloid. Nothing to do with the quality of the contents. It is just that a broad sheet is too big to handle. Especially on public transport.