Faking It

While your natural reaction to this article is to laugh, it does point to something a lot darker and deeper about the state of the media and what they'll do for a 'story'.

The uproar over the phone hacking scandal in the UK has deservedly been loud and vocal and all involved have been roundly condemned. It has bought a media empire to its kness and may even bring down a Government in time.

But I'm guessing the sort of thing outlined in the article happens quite often and its only reported on when another news outlet happens to catch them. A pretty sad reflection then on the fourth estate and the role they're meant to be playing in our democracy.

Based on your readings of this blog over the last nine months, you've probably got the feeling I am deeply disappointed in the mainstream media these days and their lack of riquor and application to the things that really matter rather than their current focus on trivial matters and the cult of personality.

Well, I think it stems from my journalism degree which I went into with quite an idealistic view and ended up coming out of with quite a cynical view. Pretty sure that's where it all began as I saw so much potential in the 'informing/educating the public' facet but have seen things to deteriorate to the point where they'd rather entertain than inform.

I'm not sure of any solutions though. It seems all of society is moving to an entertainment focus with reality TV shows and the like, so it's getting harder and harder to track down real analysis and real discussion on the things that should matter to us all.

And the story on the search for Daniel Morcombe's remains does matter and is important for a number of reasons, but trying to claim a helicopter is above the search area while its actually sitting on the station helipad...well, that just erodes even further any trust and faith in the media's reporting.

Yes, my first reaction was a smirk and a laugh as well, but the more I think about it, the more disappointed I become. A sad day indeed but as I said before, it probably happens more often than we think.

What's next then? Journalists copying press releases word-for-word? War correspondents 'reporting' from their cosy hotel rooms? Feature writers plagiarising ideas and words from bloggers?

Hang on, that already goes on doesn't it. Oh well, as long as there's a story in it hey? Or maybe we just need the return of Frontline?

EDM.