IN151, Assignment Three: Annotated Bibliography (d)
Serazio, Michael. “Rethinking a Villain, Redeeming a Format: The Crisis and Cure in Tabloidization.” The Changing Faces of Journalism: Tabloidization, Technology and Truthiness. Ed. Barbie Zelizer. New York: Routledge, 2009. 12-16. Print.
Serazio raves about cheap media that “seduces through flashy fashion and vapid content”. Tabloidization, which uses “vaudevillian bluster” to attract readers of all ages and walks of life, may not be the devil that journalism thinks it to be. The format of the news strengthens the interest in politics and democracy. This information is easily presented to “simplified palates of the lower class strata”. The shift from factual news to obscene theatrics of tabloid writers spirals the news out of control. Carolyn Kitch describes journalism as “feeling” and not “knowing”.
Since September 11th, people have become more apt to sentimental values than to factual news stories. Tabloidization offers grief, but undermines heroism and “represents a danger of dependency”. Sentiments thwart intellectual development in journalism. Tabloids may be here to stay, but the “cheap” story should vanish. The shift from lengthy, “complex stories” to the popular flash of tabloids has changed the world’s view on current events. Elitist news, as the tabloids call it, may offer boring stories, but they are more accurate. The popularity of tabloidization should be backed by “the fundamentals of good journalism”. An alliance can be created, although “cautious peace with…(the) long time villain” will need compromise within “truth and objectivity”.
This one was particularly interesting for me, because of the modern view of journalism, media, and it's impact. Most of my other sources thus far have been focused on the historical aspect of it.
ReplyDelete