bad news for the daily drivel

I have no doubt that there are some excellent reporters out there who are writing drivel about celebrities (and other popular subjects), simply because that's what sells. When I go to the supermarket or local convenience store, there are maybe one or two serious publications near the check out, and maybe 15 or 20 'Today's Drivel-type' publications. Columnists are people, too. It's hard to feed themselves or families on principles. Unfortunately, sensationalism sells. I wonder if any journalists writing drivel, later become respected journalists writing for prominent publications.

They sell their souls to Murdoch et al and this is how they have to make the payments. A friend of mine was once doorstepped by NOW "reporters" who were almost thuggish in their desire to get his story before another paper. None of them got it and he was reduced to a quivering wreck by these so called "journalists" whose sole interest is to make money for their papers and therefore for themselves. Rather like the paparazzi who wait to photograph "celebrities " caight unawares, these people take a story, twist it in the "public interest" and peddle it as gospel. I often read and hear that the tabloids are responding to public demand. I don't believe it for a second. The media had created our current mania with celebrity and are cashing in. We have been duped and yet cannot see that we are being manipulated. Long legs, big boobs, can't sing and Simon Cowell, and we have a recipe for celebrity. Such a shame when there are so many other things worth reporting. There are some excellent blgs out there by unknowns. Maybe they and we are the better for that.

Where forth art thou Freedom of the Press? Brooker just announced thy futility! Me thinks that Charlie Brooker or whatever his name and/or some of his friends/relatives/loved ones have been victim/s of sting operation/s. Maybe someone oughta do the same to the bigwigs of the Guardian. I am from the media (not tabloid, to set the record straight) and we never do negative stuff, but, we never run down another media organization or a genre either. Maybe someone needs to take a closer look at Brooker, the Guardian and the people who run it, the people behind it and Zap them and have them shut up? Ram em hard, you guys from the tabloid genre! get your circulation numbers up! There's moolah in em gossip columns and the Guardian feels that maybe its losing the money only because of thee? Yeah for tabloids! and yeah for good positive media! A big Yeah for Freedom of the Press! and bal(square)S to the Guardian and Brooker with a Boo added in, and a bigger one to Brooker! Now to the celebrities - well they are celebrities because of the public, so the public has a right to know whether a person deserves the accolades or the brickbats that it quite liberally doles out.

I believe the bottom line is money. And people today BUY sensational stories about celebrities. Follow the money. We aren't suppose to think jb...just sit back and be entertained. At least that's what I feel is being told to us indirectly. Who's been voted off American Idol or Biggest Looser or Survivor is more important to the masses than who to vote for to run their lives in the White House or Parliment.

If they're intentionally misreporting stories to mislead or illegally invading someone's privacy, then yes, I think they're selling out. If they're just reporting on celebrity news, then meh. I don't care about celebrity news, but other people do. As long as they're not making up the news, or breaking the law to get a story, I wouldn't call them sell-outs. I wouldn't call them quality stories, though. I certainly don't think celebrities are supposed to be good role models... I don't see why they would need to be shown for what they are.

Hi jb ... to your first question, yes! But, I think it's important to know the difference between news reporters and news commentators. Most commentators are expected to offer their own views ... news reporters "were" supposed to report the news and allow the public whatever their view of that report may be.

I am in the anti tabloid group, I believe. Of course, if someone is reading the daily drivel, it goes to prove they are reading and they actually learned how at some point.

I think there are sell outs in every walk of life and every way of life. There are still some quality stories but alot of the writers are doing what comes easy and sells quick. It all comes down to money. I don't think they even care about the rep that goes down the tube or anything else.

I would like to believe what the media reporters bring to me via the television or other technology devices, but frankly I don't trust them to be honest. There is a monetary gain that is more important than telling the trust; it really is about the money these days.