Entering the Paris-free Zone

Today’s morning show on Radio Hamburg offers a Paris-free zone. Last week a US television newsreader tried to set her Paris Hilton copy alight.

Radio Hamburg morning DJ John Ment will announce this morning (0745 CET) the results of the stations online poll on Paris Hilton’s fate. So far, they say, it’s 50-50: does she or doesn’t she? Listeners voting will determine whether or not Radio Hamburg become a Paris-free zone. (read News From You item from Radio Hamburg, in German)

“I hate that story,” said MSNBC news reader Mika Brzezinski Thursday morning shortly before trying to send the copy up in flames.

For months the world has been treated with seemingly endless accounts of Paris Hilton getting drunk, getting arrested, getting sentenced, going to jail, getting out, going back, getting out. Think of the environment, people. Imagine all those trees cut down for the extra newsprint.

News media stands accused of a herd mentality, racing in packs to the raciest story of the moment. It’s true. Just the recent history – OJ Simpson to Princes Diana to Michael Jackson to Paris Hilton – is ample. There are ratings to chase. MSNBC is in the ratings cellar. Radio Hamburg has a million listeners.

During the last month tabloid king Rupert Murdoch – seemingly – secured the Wall Street Journal for his fireplace mantle. Protestations of securing news integrity notwithstanding, the Bancroft family and other Dow Jones shareholders are voting to take the cash. They’re going to Disney Land or Las Vegas or off somewhere with Paris Hilton.

Mr Murdoch suggested he might hire 200 more jurnos for WSJ. What will they be covering? Inquiring minds want to know.

True, there are human stories to be told in each, necessary, perhaps. But we don’t see 9000 satellite-encrusted jurnos packing themselves to Gaza. Alan Johnston is still – after more than 100 days – very much alone. – July 12, 2007

Keywords:television journalism,tabloids

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