Sensationalism in the media… and how it could kill you…
The Washington Post today faces that age-old question: How do you write a sensationalist story without appearing to be sensationalist, yourself?
Answer: Publish an editorial on how every other newspaper is running a sensationalistic story. See, that way you get to report all of the gory and prurient details without seeming to be commercializing on them, yourself. Because, y’know, you’re being critical of other people who are doing it.
Will this become the latest wretched-excess, pull-out-the-stops, over-the-top, high-decibel, facts-be-damned, pointless-speculation, round-the-clock frenzy?Um, probably.
Michael Jackson has been the media’s favorite punching bag ever since he descended into the bizarre, skin-dyeing, young-boys-sleepover, dangle-the-baby-over-the-terrace behavior that has marked his recent life.
And the best part? You get to quote all of the other people’s stories, meaning you get to up your word count with almost no work at all! Wowzers!
Hm. I wonder if that could work to pump up my NaNoWriMo count – I’m getting a bit behind….