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Tuesday, January 26, 2010

"How Mass Media Tries to Pass Off Crap As News"

I finished the book It's Not News, It's Fark: How Mass Media Tries to Pass Off Crap As News by Drew Curtis. You might have heard of the site he runs.

This is recommended for media consumers who constantly ask, "Why in the hell is this TV station/newspaper covering this junk?"

It's Not News, It's Fark: How Mass Media Tries to Pass Off Crap As NewsHowever it is a must read for anyone who wants to go into the world of media or is a few years in. You will learn the unspoken things that probably were not covered by your journalism teachers/professors.

For example, Curtis covers how the media pulls out the yearly seasonal stories to fill space/time around certain events. Then there is the advertisement masqueraded as news "press release" that becomes real news. And the big one...media fear mongering.

 You are probably saying that is all extremely obvious, but Curtis goes into great detail with real world examples that brings it all to life. You might have always acknowledged these things in the back of your mind, but the book slaps it all in your face and it hurts.

If you have been in media for more than ten years then it is probably material that will make you laugh till you cry. I wouldn't recommend it in this case unless you just want to have your thoughts validated over and over again.

It's Not News, It's Fark: How Mass Media Tries to Pass Off Crap As News CONTACT: Leave me a Houston or Texas media news tip | COMMENT: Click to leave your thoughts on this post here