By A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L.
Every week, sometimes daily, we learn of more layoffs, buyouts, and closures of big, traditional, mainstream media outlets.
The Baltimore Sun is continuing to shrink. Both in staff, and worthwhile content. As a life-long avid consumer of news, the whole thing is somewhat disturbing to me.
On the other hand, companies like the The Baltimore Sun and their corporate parents Tribune media, are suffering a demise largely brought about by their own doing. For years Baltimore has had to endure a sort of junk journalism, diverting attention and focus from much of what really matters in.
With the dawn of the information age, news consumers have become more savvy, more sophisticated, and more quick to know b.s. (big stories) when they see it.
With the dawn of the information age, news consumers have become more savvy, more sophisticated, and more quick to know b.s. (big stories) when they see it.
ROLE OF MEDIA
A good assessment of the current state of affairs in Baltimore would reveal a place filled with criminal activity, corruption and grotesque waste. And that's just City Hall!
Deeper examination of the issues plaguing Charm City shows a large part of the problem being ignorance.
This ignorance is fostered, expanded and perpetuated by mainstream media outlets. They have long lost sight of what should be part of their fundamental core reasons for being. To inform, educate, enlighten and yes, even entertain the people. But somewhere along the way, the whole thing has fallen far out of balance.
When several people have been killed over the weekend,and police have little to no leads, no suspects, and a slim chances of solving the case, the top stories splashed on the front page for the last 72 hours really should be about more than just football and Twinkies.
