Has the print media changed from a social watch dog to a peeping tom?

i think it's important to not group all print media together; there are the obvious splits between tabloid and broadsheet newspapers which contain different content, stating the obvious that tabloid does employ more sensationalised coverage of stories, arguably more trivial than those of broadsheets.


i don't think in anyway that the social watchdog status, as you call it, of broadsheets has diminished and haven't tabloids always taken a more lighthearted stab at the news?


i think it's important to look at the social context which newspapers now operate. they are no longer the main source of news for people, arguably they have become the last of three- digital television and internet giving instantaneous and continually evolving, 'rolling', news which makes newspapers out of date the minute they are printed. to say that only print media has undergone a process of tabloidisation is to dismiss the inclusion of such stories in other news media. in a world now so saturated with media forms, print media have to work harder than ever to attract and hold an audience, the way they do this being to include the full range of stories, 'hard' and 'soft' news, an audience expects to find on the internet and television news. the process of receiving information has become a process of 'infotainment', media serving purposes to both inform and entertain.


also, we live in the age of celebrity, arguably created by the press but nevertheless taken to heart by an audience- the nation's most popular newspaper being the Sun, by a very large amount. the rise of reality television has led to a new breed of celebrity, purely a celebrity, not a star, who puts themselves in the public eye, forges a 'relationship' with an audience through shows such as Big Brother who then want to read about them in the press.


whether or not the purpose or content of print media has changed, the uses and gratifications of a majority audience are being met.

Has the print media changed from a social watch dog to a peeping tom?
Hi!





Well....you cant blame the print media alone....every medium caters to pulic demands and if what they want is sensationalism ,they get just that!


But coming to your question, yes, not just the print media but even visual media has become intrusive. There are many reasons for this:





There are way too many news channels and they are all competing for TRPs. So if something puts them on top they focus on it.Thats because they get more advertisers and more money. Its a vicious circle.





The role of any media is to present facts in an unbiased way which allows the reader/ viewer to analyse and form his opinions. Alas thats not the case. Channels have very definite leanings and are totally insensitive to people, events and nations.


Thats the downside of being a * Global Village*. There are advantages too.


As a reader/viewer you need to use your intelligence and analysing capabilities to separate the wheat from the chaff.......





Then ask forceful questions, start a campaign and let media know they cant take you for a ride.





cheers n chin up:)
Reply:In my opinion, the print media has changed from a social watchdog to material for lining the floor of a birdcage.





. . . if your bird isn't too particular.

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