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By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Mega-Media Trends

(AP)

The way that news outlets are covering the release of Paris Hilton has CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller calling for apologies…

A lot of people in the news media – especially in television and radio – owe you an apology.

They think so little of what you're interested in that many of us led our newscasts overnight and this morning with the release from prison of heiress and would-be celebrity Paris Hilton.

When a story is first in a newscast, we're saying we think it's important. We're saying we think it's something you need to know about it.

Can any of us say we need to know about Paris Hilton's release from jail after serving a few weeks for a motor vehicle infraction?

Would you change channels or stations if the Paris Hilton story wasn't first up on the news?

I'm not saying the story isn't of interest to some people. It's part of the flaw in human nature that we feel drawn to stories about rich and/or famous people who screw up.

And I'm not saying the Hilton story shouldn't be reported at all. It's standard practice to end a newscast with what we call a "kicker" – something from the lighter side of the news.

But should we make it the lead or one of the top stories of a newscast when the U.S. has 156,000 troops at war in Iraq?

Of course, if you – the news audience – really care more about Paris Hilton than the situation in Iraq, maybe it's you who owe us an apology.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by newsboy17 June 27, 2007 7:25 PM EDT: When a story is in the newscast not only do you say its important but you have another correspondent telling us how exclusive it is to your network. Come on! Do you think we really care. Just present us with the facts of the day/night, which is your job, and let the viewers decide what's important.; Reply to this comment


by gucci805 June 26, 2007 8:37 PM EDT: JOYCEWEST-----YOUR COMMENTS ABSOLUTELY REFLECTED MINE TO A "T" THANKS FOR SOME GOOD, COMMON SENSE REMARKS INSTEAD OF FORWARDING THOSE INANE, PRE-PRINTED RESPONSES FROM FROM THOSE NON-THINKING, IDIOTIC IDIOTS THAT TELL YOU TO JUST "FALL IN LINE WITH WHAT WE TELL YOU IS RIGHT"; Reply to this comment


by Rephoel June 26, 2007 8:31 PM EDT: Hilton is not a story. It is diversion.The mass public wants to blot out reality,just like they did in the 1930's.There are so many important things to report on but the truth hurts. The general immorality of our culture.the evil,that must be corrected. Religious leaders know what they're talking about.; Reply to this comment


by memekiller June 26, 2007 7:22 PM EDT: I criticize the media a lot, but I just can't get to angry over this. It's an easy issue to criticize yourself for, and it is a story people do want to see. You do a story on Paris, then do a story on how sensationalized it is to make yourself look credible.

Far more troubling is how conservative narratives so easily become "fact", even long after they've been debunked. How many times can our government claim we had to invade because Saddam didn't let inspectors in, when the President called for the UN Inspectors to leave during his national address? Why have insurgents in Iraq suddenly become "Al Qaeda"? No wonder 40% of the nation still thinks Hussein was behind 9/11.

Paris Hilton is no threat to democracy. Shutting out dissent and mainstreaming Coulter is.; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 June 26, 2007 2:50 PM EDT: Paris Hilton cost Los Angeles County $1,109.78, compared to the average $99.64 (GBP49.82). If Hilton had finished her sentence at home, it would have cost the County nothing.

The cost today of Bush and Cheney%u2019s ongoing occupation of Iraq is:
$437,903,854,791

Does this make cents?; Reply to this comment


by joycewest June 26, 2007 1:59 PM EDT: No, no, no. I don't care more about Paris Hilton than Iraq, and I doubt very many people do. I was very much interested to learn last night that Sen. Richard Lugar has reversed course and spoken out in support of a phased withdrawal of troops. I was disturbed to hear a report that the Iraqi government is unlikely to meet its benchmarks. I was saddened to see a story about an amputee veteran sending her husband off to Iraq and planning for the possibility of his death. I was moved to tears yesterday by an AP story about a paralyzed soldier now in the constant care of his parents. The U.S. flag at the memorial down the street is almost always at half mast. I don't have any friends or relatives in Iraq, but in our house the war is on our minds daily. Don't doubt it for a minute.; Reply to this comment