The Network News Has Gone Way too Far!

I had intended to blog this week about my experience with the Indiana State Fair Stage Collaspe Victims Ride, and still will.

Something else has raised my ire today, and has kinda pushed that blog to the back burner.

Any of you who know me personally, or know of my background, know that I spent seven years of my early young adulthood in broadcasting, specifically journalism. I liked the news, and had dreams of Jessica Savitch that turned into realities of Les Nessman (I still like that for a book title!). Those realities are part of the reason that I got out of the business.

I also didn't like the direction the media was taking as a whole, always tryin' to outdo the other, always tryin' to be first, always sensationalizin' stuff. Even in so - called small markets, the push was on to gain ratings/viewers(listeners)/ad dollars.

It wasn't, as Tally Atwater said at the end of 'Up Close and Personal' about tellin' the story.

Today, while checkin' out Twitter, up popped a retweet from one of the people I follow. It was from ABC News. It is ghastly.

For those of you who do not know, the trial of Michael Jackson's 'personal physician' started today. The physician is accused of havin' a hand in Mr. Jackson's untimely demise. I knew the media would be coverin' this like ants at a picnic. For some reason, I didn't anticipate that the media would go to the extremes they have gone.

I'm NOT gonna post any links to their story on the trail. It's gonna be on the www anyway, and get enough exposure without my help. What ABC News posted today is, in my opinion, way outta line. It's somethin' one would expect from one of those cunt (yes, I used that word) sites like TMZ or the Enquirer. You wouldn't expect it from a global news outlet like ABC News.

Until today.

The prosecution in the case opted for a very dramatic openin'. I have no problem with that. Showin' the jury the contrast between a full of life performer practicin' his craft and his lifeless body makes sense. Juries wind up havin' to see some gruesome shit sometimes in the course of a trial. God knows I covered a few murder trials to know that.

ABC put on their web site the fuckin' photos! Both of 'em. So now, after two years, the general public can now see for themselves Mr. Jackson's lifeless body on a hospital gurney! Oh happy day! Oh joy!

Or, as I said to my cats, "Those fuckers!"

At one time, I was a fan of the Jackson Five. There is no doubt that Michael had a tremendous talent. He was also a troubled soul. Eventually, the excesses of his life just turned me off. Yes, I was sad when he died, because it was a senseless death. His demons eventually overtook him. It's a familiar story in entertainment.

(As a side note, there are a larger number of entertainers who do not succumb to excess. They manage to live a life with love, laughter, and good health. May they continue to do so.)

So now, the picture is out there for all the world to see. And I've lost any respect I held for network news. Frankly, I've lost respect for the news media, network and local, in general. Even newspapers tend to be slanted one way or another these days. Objectivity seems to be out the frackin' door.

So I'm pissed about this. The husband says it would've only been a matter of time before it became public, anyway. True, but the way it came out enrages me.

Maybe it's just me turnin' into a grumpy old bitch. If so, it's a badge I'll wear with pride.

Thank God there are other ways one can be informed, and I will continue to be as well read and research as much as possible.

End of line.