When I tuned into last night’s Extra, I saw a video of Justin Bieber smoking. Next, I was bombarded with an entire history of Halle Berry's failed love life. The show also offered the viewpoint of one of her ex-boyfriends that supposedly abused her. In last night's episode, he denies the fact that he did and says that all of the men that Halle dates are dumped and demoralized. Even though I agreed with this, I could not help wondering why this is news. Extra once again, for at least a year now, has been consistently commenting on Christie Brinkley's agelessness. In fact, one of the co-hosts actually commented on her legs. She will probably always be beautiful, why does this matter? This piece of journalism is useless, how does it change the world? There are no arguments that are presented. Focusing on the love lives of celebrities, such as Justin Bieber's infamous nude picture, where he has a model by his side near a pool, does no one justice. Besides humiliating and objectifying celebrities, mainstream media should be focused on controversial issues instead of focusing on the obvious. They do not even take authority over the issues that they present--they just present news to impede in people's personal lives so they can impede in ours.
Even though people have argued that the news has allowed viewers to bark back with the interactive subject matters that they present, good journalism should inform and skew societal views into a positive direction. I was pleasantly surprised when Access Hollywood covered groundbreaking news on Scientology with "King of Queens" star, Leah Remini. Even though I found it annoying that media sources treat Tom Cruise as a poster child for Scientology, Remini revealed that that is the role that he is intended to play. Moreover, I was surprised that members of Scientology have to achieve and maintain a certain level of status to remain in the church. I was equally shocked that Remini said she was treated like an adult when she came into the church as a child, which compares to how Suri Cruise is treated like an adult. Altogether, Scientology seems like a suspicious cult more than anything else--especially after Remini hinted at the repercussions that she will face for demystifying the church. I started to share the views of the rest of the country and considered the possibility that Scientology should be condemned. The most telling quote of the night that is an example of good journalism can be seen when Billy Bush , a co-host on Access Hollywood, called Remini brave. I think that was the perfect word to sum up Remini's confession. At least in this instance journalism swayed public opinion on a worthy topic that questions the foundation of religious institutions.
Another example of good journalism that was released to the public was the Bill Cosby sex scandal. Again, this piece of journalism proved its transformative power when it comes to society. The issue of drugs was involved because Cosby was accused of drugging and then sexually assaulting multiple women. "The Cosby Show" was pulled off of network syndication. I now have to struggle to find "The Cosby Show," my life is affected. Cosby is no longer a part of Temple's Board of Trustees. So, we are forced to question and reject Cosby's status as a funnyman when journalists prod into Cosby's murky past.
So, let's hang up the dating rumors about Blake and Gwen Stefani. Lets's emphasize journalism that makes us reimagine our understandings of oppressive systems and people that we put on pedestals. The nude photo scandals, romance scandals, and ageless beauties will always persist but compelling and probing stories that catch our attention are needed. Let’s capture these stories as they occur in real time. Let’s have media that can influence our thinking instead of making our eyes pop in wonder and smile at beauties and ironic news. We need to knit our foreheads in frustration, inquiry, and interest instead of whooping in laughter and frowning in disgust at the trivial news of the day .
