Why the Public is Ignorant

My local paper has a about a quarter of a million subscribers and has received 7 Pulizer Prizes in its 100+ year history. It is the major newspaper for at least 4 surrounding states from Alaska to Northern California. Yesterday's front page? On a day when major bombings occured in Iraq, when national and international election campaigns are ongoing, when the economy is tumbling into crisis? The front page, above the fold headline was about a 17 year old girl who was trying to break the World Record for the Mile Crawl. That's right, she was pictured wrapped in bubble wrap and duct tape, and crawling around a track.



How can we expect the citizenry to be informed about issues when the paper that they read over breakfast refuses to provide important stories? Yes, there is good information out there. Blogs and online newspapers are recognizing the need for quality journalism and are filling the gaps left by the "old media". Unfortunately, finding reliable sources of news and staying updated takes time and effort and besides, why should the newspapers be so willing to turn over their duties as public servants? Our nation was based on the idea that the people have the ability to understand important issues but that understanding requires a media that is willing to provide the facts.