The good and bad of journalism

In journalism, it's important to get all of the facts clear and true. Okay, we all understand that.  But is it really necessary to report something such as "hair still looks to be spray painted red" (via Jenna Deery/Dayton Ohio)?  Seriously, what is happening to our news reports that they have to say such a thing?

Recently, a man shot and killed twelve people and injured many more while they were viewing the newly released Batman movie.  Today the world watches as news stations show the suspect James Holmes during his first court appearance.  Not only are they showing this coverage live on television and the internet, they are also doing their job on the social networks as well.

What concerns me is the target audience that the news stations are trying to reach with their information.  Who exactly are you trying to reach by discussing this man's hair color? Yes, we all know what this man did- but is it really necessary to advertise the information over and over and.. over? By discussing this man's appearance in court continuously, you are taking away the well deserved attention from the victim's.

Drama.

We are all human and even though many refuse to admit it, nature allows us to love drama every now and then.  But, to what to extent?

My Twitter and Facebook newsfeed has been blown up this morning about this man who did this unforgettable crime.  I however, am a firm believer in positive social news.  It's known that if you want a certain kind of attention or business, that you reach out to a certain target audience.

There is just as much a crave of attention for the victims and heroes involved in this tragedy, as there are for the suspect (suspect: politically correct b.s. term for, we all know he's guilty and even though he admits it we still have to say the word to cover our butts from lawsuits). Which is why I am writing this blog.  To help bring awareness to the fact that shifting journalism to become more positive is not impossible.

Journalism has already tremendously shifted from print to social media.  Who's to say we can't change it, but in a more positive way?  There will always be drama in the news, but it's time we concentrate more on the hero's and less on the evil-doers.

So on this note I will leave you with a moment of remembrance for those who lost their lives during this tragedy.  I ask that we begin shifting the media from the concentration of Mr. Holmes, to those who lost their lives and survived instead.

-->Remembering this victims.<--