The Idiot Report

Breaking News

Jan 5, 2009 Media

That headline enticed you, didn’t it?

I usually associate big ass fonts with breaking news that changed history, like the moon landing,  Kennedy’s assassination, or Obama’s victory.  Websites like the Huffington Post and Drudge Report demean the importance of the big headline.  They have low standards for what is considered huge news.

This was the Huffington Post’s front page today:

Are politicians going to work as equivalent as the man landing on the moon?  Yes, according to the Huff.

Here’s one from the dreaded Drudge Report:

I know bad news sells, but this is old bad news.  I remember Obama saying the economy was getting worse last month.  I wonder if Drudge used this headline more than once.

Sensationalism isn’t new in news media, but it also seems like more news outlets are trying to “break” more news to attract more viewers.  The Fox News Channel loves to keep the red “NEWS ALERT” graphic on their screen all the time, which feels like a light version of “BREAKING NEWS.”  CNN also likes to post the “BREAKING NEWS” graphic for the same story all day long, especially during the Situation Room and Anderson Cooper 360.

As with all discussions about news media, who’s fault is it?  Who are the idiots?  The media or the people consuming the news?  I’ll take the easy way out and say it’s everyone.  We’re all A.D.D. idiots.

Tags: breaking news, CNN, drudge report, Fox News, headlines, huffington post, Media, news