Hoover feels that it is those events that should constantly claim the medias attention, yet unfortunately there are celebrity issues that tend to grab the worlds attention and hold onto it a bit longer than a natural disaster. For instance, many more people probably remember Winona Ryder and her sticky fingers than those who remember the tsunami in Asia. Hoover further believes that an event can contain one of two characteristics to be considered a "media" event. These two characteristics are conflicting reports and that of which goes on in the world of celebrity culture [1]. Although many wish that much more attention was paid to the needy and the media events that claim lives, it is often the best dressed and the Oscars that claims the first story in any media outlet.
Another local example is the front page story on PressConnects.com. Press Connects is the online version of the Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin. When one accesses the website, the first story they see is that of Taylor Swift and how a portion of her latest music video was shot in Binghamton--of course, only the portions she was not shown in, because she never actually came to Binghamton herself. More attention is being paid to Taylor Swift and her music video than to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords opening her eyes after being shot in the head and the many lives that were taken by the same shooter. [2] Media outlets highlight the positive stories such as those including pop stars and the like, but this is leading more and more of today's society to become ignorant to the things that matter most.
[1] Hoover, Stewart M.: Conclusion (in: Couldry, Nick (ed.): Media Events in a Global Age), pp. 287-288.
[2] www.pressconnects.com. The Press & Sun Bulletin. Web. 13 Jan. 2011.
I really like how you used 3 different examples, one being a media event in the celebrity world. I find it very interesting how civilian people have such an interest in celebrities. People find many ways to follow and watch celebrities for example twitter, Facebook, and especially magazines. But I would have to say Michael Jackson's death could arguely be the top media event of this century. That struck most people all over the world the most. That media event was something that shocked most people and it also shook a lot as well. You made some great points on both 9/11 and Barack Obamas election to office as well.
ReplyDeleteI thought that you did a very good job explaining the broad meaning of a media events. I too am surprised to see how much attention is paid to celebrity events rather than political events. Our world seems to be focused on the youth and therefore focused on what the youth is interested in. Most teenagers I know are much more interested in Brad Pitt and Taylor Swift than they are in the problems in the Middle East. The saying goes that the children of today are the leaders of tomorrow and therefore that is why the focus is on social media events.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if I would personally qualify celebrity gossip as media events. Yes, I am not going to deny that I read gossip magazines and websites religiously however to me those are just entertainment. I am not saying it is wrong, but I personally don't see who's dating Taylor Swift as a media event. On the other hand I do agree with viewing the shooting in Arizona as a media event.
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