Media vs. Truth
11/9/2002
If so many talk show hosts have questions about the “youth of America”, why do they ask middle-aged America? On Friday night, the 8th of November 2002, Donahue had a panel of guests (all middle aged or older) discussing the new Eminem movie 8 Mile.
They could not figure out why Eminem has been able to gain such a following. Wouldn’t it make sense to ask his fans that question? They all gave their speculative answers, but as an Eminem fan myself, they failed to give any of the reasons I like his music. This is not an issue of whether or not he is a good role model, but why are these shows speculating answers to questions they are not qualified to answer? This is just the latest example of the media failing to try to find the truth. Perhaps they do not want to hear the real answers so they give the answers they think sound good.
When the shooting at Columbine High School happened, the media kept asking how can something like this happen? It was not until months after this event did a national television network aired a special propose these questions to kids themselves. Although I believe that this special had good intentions, the cross-section of kids were too closely selected. The media tried asking the right questions to the right people, but it came off too rehearsed. I do not know who saw this special or who took the words of these kids as fact, but I believe each person interviewed did their best to live up to their high school clique. Their answers were too stereotypical, but then again the media wants viewers, listeners, and readers before it wants the truth.
The media cannot rely on middle-aged experts to answer questions directly involving younger Americans. If you want the truth rather than the best story, you need to go directly to the source and ask the kids who live with these issues every day. You want to know why kids listen to Eminem, why they do drugs, why there is so much violence in school? Ask THEM!
Why? Just Because!