I had to laugh at a comment left on Ninglun’s Oz Politics blog. It was from the same person who, here, declined my invitation to comment on the burden of proof that Australian law has: Antony Shen. His comment on this post on Oz Politics is as follows:

“The war on terror topic may be more significant, but the censorship over a live TV debate is far more interesting to talk about.”

It’s not the comment that I have a problem with per se, rather it’s what the comment actually is saying. It’s saying that “interesting” news, and not “significant” news, should be spoken about. Extending it further, the ‘boring’ (or the tedious, or ugly, or the disgusting) should give way to the entertaining.

It’s this kind of news ‘reporting’ that has seen the Australian media bomb like it’s 1945. TodayTonight and A Currrent Affair, two ’shows’ that purely exist for evening ratings, run along these lines. And these two ’shows’ are complete and utter jokes. They are no more newsworthy then, say, Neighbours, which is running on channel 10 at the same time. These two ’shows’ report entertainment, not news. They disregard the “significant” for the “interesting”. Public interest is the term I believe they use to justify reporting of swimsuits, shonkey plumbers and diets.

The problem that I have with these ’shows’ is that they get to decide what is of ‘public interest’. Not the public, not some authoritative body, but the producers who are employed or fired over the ratings they get. So, as they pass themselves off as a news and current affairs show with one hand, on the other they pick and choose whatever the hell they want to report. They ignore the fact that there might be a war going on somewhere in the world, or that politicians lie through their teeth every day, or that there is price gouging going on at petrol stations (instead of providing “handy tips” to save two dollars every month). Then they go and report on some dodgey plumber (which is as far their ‘investigative journalism’ goes), the newest diet fad (who gives a fuck!?), and some bullshit fashion trend. Get that shit off of my television! Who made the decision that a diet fad is newsworthy? And if anyone did, they should to be taken behind the barn …

If they want to report about plumber-corruption, show people how to report them to the authorities then put pressure on those institutes that regulate Australian businesses. Follow up, then move on. Onto something more significant and not just more interesting. Because that’s what the Australian media should be reporting on. They should be facing up to the harsh truths that are out there, and putting feet to the fire. Get in politicians, get in businessmen, get in the honchos who are responsible for things that actually affect the public (and not a couple people) and that’s what public interest is.

Thomas.