By Miles Bett
The year 2011 is already turning out to be pretty interesting. Three months in, and so far we have had two governments fall, a civil war break out and the 5th largest earthquake to happen in recorded history. I’d say that is pretty good going so far.
It all makes me a bit nervous for the end of the year – but hey, look on the bright side. At least this isn’t all happening in 2012! Then we would really be worried. But the media isn’t making me feel a bit better about any of these current events.
Let me rewind a few days and explain where this frustration is coming from. I was, like many, watching the coverage on Japan on Fox News on Friday night with my family. The 30-foot wave of black water crashing through houses, rolling over cars and roads, and destroying everything in its path was something that made me sit up and pay attention. It was both amazing and horrifying.
So there I was, watching the news with my parents, when suddenly the footage stopped and we were brought back to the studio. The anchor told the audience not to worry, as they “haven’t forgotten about the other important news going on.” At this point I was expecting something to do with Libya, that war-torn country in Africa fighting for democracy. But no; instead we got a shot of Charlie Sheen looking over a balcony and grinning like an idiot.
Thankfully, they told us that Charlie Sheen is suing Two and Half Men, and giving even more statements that could only come from a half-delusional man. For a second there I had almost forgotten Sheen even existed, as scary as that may seem for some. Thanks to Fox News, I never have to worry about missing a single drunken Sheen escapade again!
The media needs to fix its priorities. When important news such as tsunamis and revolutions are overshadowed by inconsequential celebrities’ scandals, there is something very wrong with our society. Consumers need to decide what is more important: a country in need of help, or a man way beyond any help at all.