What should the role of the media be?

[Lanshark]

Should it be the media's responsibility to inform us or entertain us?

 

[bicker]

Sometimes one; sometimes the other; sometimes both.

A news program's responsibility is to inform. An entertainment program's responsibility is to entertain. There are contexts where there may be a blended responsibility in this regard.

 

[qtwns]

Never to entertain--always to inform/educate whether it is entertainment/show biz related or other.

 

[bicker]

Never? How boring... so you're saying that the media shouldn't be presenting any entertainment programming, not even during prime time? No CSI? No Desperate Housewives?

 

[C.Ann]

I guess that would depend on the type of media you are talking about..

 

[Elvistelth]

Media's role is to impartially report the news. Network newscasts are ridiculously partisan so I don't watch their propaganda. Network news is more of an entertainment / gossip update than actual news. It's sickening. I think there is a lemming mentality among news providers: if CNN is still talking about Michael Jackson we better do that too. Enough coverage already! He's dead, end of story.

 

[Lanshark]

Sometimes one; sometimes the other; sometimes both.

A news program's responsibility is to inform. An entertainment program's responsibility is to entertain. There are contexts where there may be a blended responsibility in this regard.

The line seems to be quite blurred. I prefer reading the paper but I am obviously in the minority. There are only so many "experts" to fill a 24 hour news cycle If I wanted opinion, rather than facts, I'd have a BBQ and invite the neighbors over. Actually......that's a good idea

 

[Lanshark]

I guess that would depend on the type of media you are talking about..

CNN, FOX, network news

 

[C.Ann]

CNN, FOX, network news

In that case, to inform and educate with reliable facts - not opinions, rumors, etc.. Other than my local news, I rarely even watch the other news stations (such as you mentioned) because you can't determine what's factual and what isn't..

Oh - and the other post - where you mentioned reading the newspapers? I love to read newspapers - even from other areas of the country.. Although even though they can sometimes mess up their "facts" as well, there's lots of other "news" (the lesser stuff) that is interesting and not even being reported via other sources..

 

[qtwns]

I guess that would depend on the type of media you are talking about..

I was talking about the news media--I should have specified.

 

[C.Ann]

I was talking about the news media--I should have specified.

No problem..

 

[Robinrs]

What is SHOULD be is vastly different than what it is, a vehicle for revenue. Just like anything else their purpose to raise money for their network or station.

 

[bicker]

CNN, FOX, network news

Uh, still kinda vague. CNN is a 24 hour a day news and information channel, which includes some news, some opinion and even a little bit of entertainment programming. Fox is a national broadcast network, with some of the best (House) and most popular (American Idol) entertainment programming. If anything, Fox has a bit less of a news tilt than the other national broadcast networks. The broadcast network news programs are mostly news, but they do have some feature segments, as well, and indeed some of the network news divisions' programming (such as the Today program) is explicitly part news/part entertainment.

So, again, it really depends. There is no one right answer for all of these things.