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Archive for March 3rd, 2007

AP black out of Hilton news?

Saturday, March 3rd, 2007

I just read on CNN that the AP had a week long blackout of Paris Hilton news.

I’m not sure how I feel about that.

On one hand, I can’t stand the girl. (Sorry, Kali, I know she’s your idol.) She is, as that article states, famous for being famous. It isn’t that she’s rich or spoiled. OK, well that’s part of it. What irks me most is how much press she gets for not doing anything. It’s like, here’s this stupid girl (and by all accounts I’ve seen, that adjective fits) with plenty of money to blow and nothing better to do with her life than throw it away. She has nothing else to do with her life other than party and be seen. (And it was heartening to hear that nobody was clamoring for the news.)

On the other hand, if people are stupid enough to want to read about her exploits, (Again, sorry Kali.) I don’t know if we should say we know what’s best for you. And just not cover her or anyone. Trust me, I was the kid sitting in the newsroom for the past few weeks, shaking my head “WHO CARES?!” As all the cable news covered Anna Nicole Smith’s death like she was the pope.

I know, I know. One of the most dangerous things about being a journalist is having the power to set the agenda. There’s a quote that goes something along the lines of “What we do and don’t cover matters a great deal.” Every day we have to choose what we cover and what we don’t. Which reporter covers what, how much time and resources he or she gets. How each story is played. Etc. But an all-out blanket black out on one subject or person is pretty extreme. What if it’s not Paris Hilton next time? It makes me a little queasy. That’s all.

Posted in Commentary, Journalism, News | 6 Comments »