July 4-10-08

The reading wasn’t that bad this week, thanks to Fox Day and because it talked about subjects that a Critical Media and Cultural Studies Major could relate to, especially when we are surrounded by multi-media all day everyday. One quote that I would like to elaborate on and give my viewpoints on is, “Any journalist who wants power or influence has to have a TV program. It is even possible for television journalists to get important positions in the printed press.” In the simplest version possible it basically means that the television is the key to success when it comes to the entertainment business or media coverage. All actors are constantly fighting to get publicity, whether it is gained in a negative or positive way. For example, Paris Hilton would not be famous if her family didn’t own the Hilton Hotel. Paris Hilton, just like any other celebrity had to develop from a “nobody” to a “somebody,” by taking the negative route. Over a vast period of time her name was in the lead media story because of her hard partying, rational decisions, drugs, DUI incidents, and everything else that one could possibly name. Paris Hilton didn’t stop this behavior because it gave her more television time and more endorsement deals, rather than the promotion companies seeing her behavior in a negative way, they contorted it into something positive. This is common among most celebrities. Although it is the journalist’s job to get the latest and greatest news coverage on all celebrities, especially those who are currently in the hot seat, it is imperative that journalists understand that privacy is important to everybody. Some paparazzi companies are open for twenty four hours because celebrities are constantly on the go, due to various jobs. The main cause for this fixation is celebrity obsession.