What About a Newspaper?

 The NEW YORK TIMES

Since 1851 The New York Times has been a resourceful, reliable, powerful way of communicating news throughout not only New York but the entire country.  The Times, starting out in a thriving American City, quickly rose to the top of the chain for public media as they began providing the people with stock market numbers, crosswords, sports, local and even foreign news.  Without newspapers like the Times the people of the country would have never been informed of major world events such as war.

Sept 12, 2001 Headline NY Times

  However times they are a changing.  With social media, blogging, and the internet on the rise in recent years, newspaper sales are plummeting. Although The Times only costs about $2.50, about the same as most papers, many former readers have turned to quicker, more accessible ways of finding their desired articles.  It is said that newspapers such as The New York Times have begun to only write stories that are more appealing to the public eye rather than publishing what the public really needs to know.
   For example, during the time of the Bush administration as America was invading Iraq, journalist Judith Miller of the Times published multiple stories stating that opposing forces were attaining weapons of mass destruction, an atomic bomb.  These stories were just that, stories.  Miller claimed that her sources had given her the information and she reported it as it was told to her. But, as a journalist, you have to confirm your information especially in cases as serious as war!

Judith Miller NY Times

 
   I do believe there is bias in newspaper because no matter how you look at it, it is a business.  These writers and editors are competing for customers they need to have an upper hand being bias gives them just that.  Its sad that to survive that is what's necessary but it is the ugly truth.  Even after all of the controversy i don't think papers like The Times will survive much longer.  The internet is just too accessible, smart phones, laptops, and tablets are taking over it is a new generation.Why would someone purchase a newspaper when they could get online and find the information from the comfort of their home for free?  In my opinion its just a matter of time before The New York Times and other papers like it are as extinct as mammoths. 

Checkout These Mags!

    Since before I, or anyone else I know, can remember magazines have been a type of entertainment, news, gossip, and much more.  Over the years magazines have changed a bit; altering from the fun, educational, new school newspaper they used to be magazines have become a famous way of exploiting celebs and their families no matter if they are real or "wannabes".  Prime example, you walk in the store... any store... nationwide, right there on the shelves front row you will see former ravens player Ray Rice. For those who don't know Rice was caught on tape hitting his wife, a video that just recently leaked.  Even though the event occurred months ago journalists from TV like TMZ and especially magazine journalists have jumped all over it. Though I do not agree with Ray's actions, i also do not agree with exploiting him on the issue.  This family matter which could have been solved behind closed doors is now into the public open for interpretation and judgement.  How would you feel if someone could pick anything from your past or even present out and just tell the world?  As much as you might want to say you wouldn't care you would because everyone you saw would be looking at you like you have three heads.

Ray Rice and wife at press meeting. (Prestige Magazine)

    On top the exploiting and the gossip magazines fill the public's mind with false stories and exaggeration in the little bit of news they still publish.  As I looked through the colorful pages of various magazines I found that only about 10%, maybe less, was actually anything about news.  Mostly stories of war and politics is what I saw and most of those issues being overseas.  Understand that the way I hear the stories from soldiers I know the magazines don't get anywhere close almost like they just made the whole thing up.  Stories of war from a soldier   are fearful as magazines make it sound hopeful almost as if they are trying to make the public feel better about an issue that is so far from being solved.  Aside from all of this advertisement is found in many magazines.  For businesses it's great you see a skin care product next to the face of a gorgeous model, or maybe shoes on your favorite athlete, you might even see shampoo and a beautiful head of hair not even a face and you want these things. But look further....
Truth is, most people buy these products hoping to get the exact same results as they see on the page and for most that will never happen.  The ads you see in magazines have Photoshopped faces, hair, everything!  Over half of the results you see in pictures aren't the results of a product, they are results of computer graphics. Because of this more and more self-esteem issues arise in fact it is reported that 40% more teens have said they have low self-esteem since just 2000 and these numbers will continue to rise. Generally Speaking, I think magazines are a scam for the most part although there is an exception to every rule.  Exploitation, gossip, and false hope are all major components to why magazines even still exist.  Without them adolescents, teens and even adults would have better self-esteem and would be more focused on their selves rather than everyone else.   If we started with that there is no telling what else we could achieve.