Entertainment coverage in MSM

As we talked about in class today, consumers of the news are receiving a skewered perspective on different trends in the U.S. The Columbia Journalism Review expressed the need for the media to cover more about the effect on children of violence and sex on TV and in video games. While this is an important topic in our society, I don't think it's something the New York Times should be reporting on because there is no easy way to approach the subject objectively. If the media can find the perfect way of reporting both sides of the argument, one side saying TV violence and sex heavily effects children and it should be regulated, and the other side saying it's not the TV that is causing a negative effect in society, then this issue should be addressed in mainstream media. However, this is a highly biased topic that hasn't necessarily been completely proven on either side of the argument.  While I agree with the idea that the NYT should not be focusing on the new Fall lineup for ABC or how NBC is going to improve their shows, I don't think it's worthwhile for the NYT cultural section to spend time on how violence effects children, unless it is clearly labeled as an opinion article or column. The effects of TV, video games and movies is one of those trends that can easily be overplayed and worry the public more than is necessary. It is sort of the same thing as coverage of school shootings. In a sociology class I took, we read a book called Culture of Fear, and this book presented the parts of our society that are made out to be much more because of media's coverage of the events or issues. School shootings are an awful, tragic event, and there have been quite a few in the past, including Columbine, Virginia Tech, and the Omish school. However, the media's obsession and excess coverage of the shootings tend to exaggerate the true threat of school shootings. In retrospect, compared to how many days children go to school and come home safely without school shootings or the threat of one, school shootings are a very rare occasion. This can be compared to the effect TV and video games have on children and the ability the media has to blow this issue out of proportion. If the media didn't have a reputation of skewing trends, such as portraying blacks as the main population responsible for rapes or murders when whites perform these crimes at a higher rate, then I would agree with Michael Massing's suggestion of covering this issue. Unfortunately, since the media has a lot to work on, including staying objective and effectively portraying trends, it must focus on covering more important and current issues.