Is this really news? (Houston, San Antonio: house, live in, dangerous)

[Tex N Cal]

A few days ago I was reading the Houston Chronicle on-line. On the left-hand column was a link to a news story related to a terrible tragedy that occurred somewhere near San Antonio, I believe. I clicked the link, kind of knowing what I would read, and skimmed the article detailing how a 5 year old boy was burying his 7 year old brother in sand, playing and being kids, and the 7 year old brother suffocated and died. Now, my question is: How is this news? How does this inform us or help us in any way? I was only impacted with sadness after I read the story and felt as if I somehow violated the family's privacy in the wake of the horrible tragedy. This is a problem with all media outlets, not just The Houston Chronicle. They search for stories that will impact the reader/viewer on an emotional level even though there is nothing truly newsworthy within the story. All for what? More money? Filler articles? It's just pathetic to me and cheapens the media's place in our society. How about reporting on world wars, corrupt politicians, traffic, weather and a celebrity or two? Stay away from the personal tragedy stories.

[cheryjohns]

How's this different from the news that spews the latest Kardashian BS?

[Tex N Cal]

There is at least real substance in the personal tragedy stories, unlike any of the Kardashians. However, the Kardashians do all they can to make it in the headlines and the media grants them that opportunity. In fact, I'm not even sure they try anymore and they still get air time. On the other hand, the family I mentioned above went through something horrific and end up next to the Kim K. and Kanye pregnancy scoop. There are good writers and reporters out there, but because of the entertainment news era we live in, I, along with many others, just have nothing but disdain for the media.

[theSUBlime]

I'm a communication major, and I can tell you that news is almost always bad because that's what people like to hear. Unfortunately, people like to hear more about gossip and such. This is what people pay for. Also, bad news tends to stir more action and participation than good news. Why are reality TV shows still around? Because people watch them, guilty pleasure or not.

[oldfashionedcountrygirl]

For me personally, I believe it is to raise awareness. Should those parents be charged with neglect or worse since technically they should be liable for not watching their children, as they should have been with kids that age? I don't know, I haven't read the article, but in fact, regardless whether or not they are charged, I think it goes to the responsibility we have as parents to protect our kids, and hearing this would raise awareness, if I let my youngster play, stupidly, alone in any possibly dangerous situation.

[Tex N Cal]

Well, I don't think there is necessarily an awareness campaign behind these articles, e.g. vehicle accidents, plane crashes, house fires, etc. Many times these are just terrible accidents. I'm more of the opinion, as noted above, that it isthe bad news that grabs the reader/viewer and why not print/air it if it will get the ratings. I guess I will just never understand the "this horrible tragedy happened yesterday" articles that really serve no purpose.