Al Gore has taken a swipe at a media system that focuses more on Britney Spears' shaved head than crucial issues like climate change. Good on him! This is a debate that needs to be encouraged. Why are the media this way? This is a question that many of us are asking now. With so many humanitarian, social and environmental issues desperately needing coverage, and with the media having such a powerful ability to influence the masses, it's time for more media to be using this power in a more conscious, empowering way. While there will always be room for media that provides fun entertainment, I find it hard to see how celebrity gossip that is hurtful to those involved has any space on our magazine and newspaper pages or television screens - especially when so many other important issues could be taking up that space.
The usual argument is that this is what people want. What rubbish. How about giving credit to people and taking a chance that we actually want information that we can use and be inspired by, information that helps us to make a difference. How rapidly the world will change, along with our perspective of the world, the second more mainstream media shifts its priorities.
Al Gore is the Chairman of Current TV - www.current.tv
Dana Mrkich is a Content Editor for Urth TV - www.urth.tv
Ref:
Gore takes aim at 'trivial' celebrity gossip
From correspondents in New York
"FORMER US vice president Al Gore has criticised the "trivialities and nonsense" of celebrity gossip in the media and called on people to focus instead on issues like Iraq and climate change..."http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21796848-1702,00.html
I agree with Al Gore, the focus should be on the environment instead of fixating on celebrities and their issues. If the media covered more issues pertaining to the greening of our world, perhaps the public would come to the realization and understanding that living a sustainable lifestyle is of the utmost importance; Where as currently the public's awareness of sustainability is very low.
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