::shrug:: The news media will report whatever they think people are interested in hearing about. Not every story will be "serious business," all the time. If you don't like hearing/reading about Charlie Sheen, then don't watch those stories or read those articles.

I'm not personally following the Charlie Sheen drama, but some people DO want to hear about it, and I don't see why my preferences should invalidate someone else's. "Newsworthiness" is a subjective quality, which is why there is a wide selection of news outlets to satisfy a wide diversity of audiences.

Also, for the record, the NY Times ran waaay more headlines about Libya than about Charlie Sheen. Most would consider NY Times part of "mainstream media," seeing how it's the single most popular American online newspaper, and the third largest American print newspaper. Granted, I'm sure there are other mainstream news outlets that focus more on the "trivial" stuff. I guess my point is: I feel like "mainstream media" is too broad a group to make sweeping generalizations about their "priorities."

Don't get me wrong... I agree that there's lots of weaknesses and catch-22s associated with how news reporting is done. I just don't find it very productive to shake my fist at the media for sometimes reporting stuff I don't personally find interesting.

nothing on charlie sheen over here. i think its just america, alot of idiots over there would rather watch that sort of stuff rather than more important issues.

So you're saying Australian media never runs entertainment news? Interesting...

Oh, it does. But something like Charlie Sheen losing it would really only hit on a REALLY slow day - he's not THAT famous, and also American. And combination of a bunch of natural disasters in the region and our government (both state and federal) doing...INTERESTING things at the moment, the general media has pretty much moved on, as far as I can tell.

Oh, I know. What I meant is that tm20's comment makes it sound as though Australian news doesn't even report on Australian entertainment news, ever. It totally makes sense that they wouldn't report on Charlie Sheen, specifically. But this:

makes it sound like watching "that sort of stuff" is a solely American affliction.

I'm finding myself in an odd, devil's-advocate-y sort of position... I'm actually quite critical of American media and American society in general. But I guess it feels different when it's myself or my (American) friends going "WTF, our country is so messed up; we need to do better." People from other developed countries pointing and generalizing and going "you idiot Americans" leaves a different taste in my mouth. But don't worry, I know tm20 didn't mean anything personally.

Perfectly said :)

The guy that plays Charlie in Two Men and a Half TV series. He was and is also involved in several conflicts inside and outside the media...

Mainstream is for money and audience. Big audiences are made on these sorts of covers, conflicts, divorces and missunderstood VIPs. Same here... the earthquake stopped being an issue and the news on several divorces started to show up again ! :angry: I just don't understand how people don't get sick through time of these subjects... Oh, yes... lack of wanting "more" :airquote: :facepalm: DAANG.

I find it sad Channel 7 (or channel 5 news i cant remember which I was watching yesterday) called Lady Gaga a "saint" because she made Japan Relief bracelets and all proceeds go to Japan Relief Efforts... I'm like what the hell, dont call gaga a saint because she does what hundreds of other people do... i was ready to throw something at the TV