Sound bites or serious problem solving?
On the cover of Jan 16th issue of Time magazine is a picture of Mitt Romney with the question, "So You Like Me Now?
This is in contrast to the one a few weeks ago title, "Why Don't they Like Me?
Today while reading a string of comments on the wall of a friend on Facebook, a simple, "Huntsman bugs me" was followed by more than 20 comments from several individuals wondering why the question about contraception was even asked.
The Time cover magazines and the question about contraception happen because of one reason - the need to drive revenue.
Remember - the role of media is to drive revenue. The job of the interviewers is to ask provocative questions in order to create news - something they can use in the media to create more stories, interest and ratings increases.
I used to be in the magazine business. I was responsible for selling more magazines off the newsstand. This is what the Time Magazine covers are all about - selling magazines.
It's no different in TV. Advertisers are paying for viewers. The role of the producer is to make the show interesting in order to pull in more ad dollars for the next show.
If you want serious problem solving on national issues - you're not going to find it on TV. It simply doesn't happen that way. The debate is a staged show so advertisers can sell something.
For the politicians - think of it in terms of reality TV. It's an opportunity to build their name recognition; an opportunity to build their brand in order to sell their persona to the voting public. It's their chance to deliver a memorable sound bite...
Serious problem solving takes lots of work - and it happens slowly. It takes time...and who wants to watch that?
www.iangilyeat.com
This is in contrast to the one a few weeks ago title, "Why Don't they Like Me?
Today while reading a string of comments on the wall of a friend on Facebook, a simple, "Huntsman bugs me" was followed by more than 20 comments from several individuals wondering why the question about contraception was even asked.
The Time cover magazines and the question about contraception happen because of one reason - the need to drive revenue.
Remember - the role of media is to drive revenue. The job of the interviewers is to ask provocative questions in order to create news - something they can use in the media to create more stories, interest and ratings increases.
I used to be in the magazine business. I was responsible for selling more magazines off the newsstand. This is what the Time Magazine covers are all about - selling magazines.
It's no different in TV. Advertisers are paying for viewers. The role of the producer is to make the show interesting in order to pull in more ad dollars for the next show.
If you want serious problem solving on national issues - you're not going to find it on TV. It simply doesn't happen that way. The debate is a staged show so advertisers can sell something.
For the politicians - think of it in terms of reality TV. It's an opportunity to build their name recognition; an opportunity to build their brand in order to sell their persona to the voting public. It's their chance to deliver a memorable sound bite...
Serious problem solving takes lots of work - and it happens slowly. It takes time...and who wants to watch that?
www.iangilyeat.com
Posted by Ian Gilyeat at 1/9/2012 7:00 AM 
Categories: Political parties, Freedom of Speech
Tags: Ian Gilyeat Political parties US Senate
Categories: Political parties, Freedom of Speech
Tags: Ian Gilyeat Political parties US Senate
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