TV today beyond 'a vast wasteland'
More than 50 years ago, Newton Minow was the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. It was up to his people to decide if you could get your broadcasting license renewed. It was he who, in a speech, called television "a vast wasteland." It is especially true when it comes to the news. He should see it now as it has become a landfill.
I have nothing against People magazine, but the publican is full of pictures with captions of 25 words or less. There is no depth to it, nor was there intended to be.
For example, I love Channel 2's Kate Sullivan breathlessly telling what great "original reporting" they have "at 10." When watching at 10 the "news" is postponed several times until you realize that you saw the same thing on WGN that at noon.
On NBC, Brian Williams says he will cover an item "in depth" which turns out to be 1 minute and 45 seconds (I timed it once).
If there is any worthwhile news you get a few seconds of a teaser and then they suggest you go to their website to read the rest. If I have to do that, I don't need them!
Watch any news and most of what you hear is the latest idiocy of Justin Bieber, the air head Kardashians, Miley Cyrus' back end, Kanye West's latest egotistic outburst and tons of other fluff meaning nothing important. I suggest that if you like this sort of news, buy People magazine, but if you want some real news in depth, buy the Daily Herald.
Raleigh Sutton
Elgin