Truth Tv example essay topic

"Truth morals and good taste are all irrelevant in commercial t. v". How does frontline and other supplementary material explore this idea? How far is too far? In today's society there is a fine line between telling the truth and not. Each day we encounter lies and concealment. And who would of thought, most of the false accusations we are fed, come from those we rely on for the truth.

"Truth is created by the powerful person". And who is more powerful then those that inform and instruct? Commercial television programs such as 'Today Tonight' and 'A Current Affair' are two prime examples of fraudulent TV in the satirical program "Frontline" the audience views what really makes the news. The truth about personal grief, sex and life are sacrificed to the ratings. Truth morals and good taste are deserted for the more depraved side of 'current affairs'. Frontline episode "The siege" actively demonstrates the reckless attitude the media takes towards the personal dealings of the victim.

In this episode a raging father takes hostage his young children at the point of a gun. Brian, the conniving producer is interested in one thing, being the only station to have that story. With perfectly calculated words Brian secures an inside line to the gunman himself and an interview with the gunman's mother. Only concerned with ratings, Emma selfishly asks the gunman to; "take the phone off the hook so that no-one will bother you" displaying a complete disregard for the Authorities and the well being of the hostages. Between all the action Brooke tactfully approaches the gunman's mother, Mrs Forbes with a contract for an exclusive interview. "Some other current affair shows can be unscrupulous so this is to protect you, more than us".

Ironically moments later, after Brooke's failure to gain vision she insensitivity asks Mrs Forbes to cry for the camera. The amorality that the media continuously displays comes at any loss. "Such as September 11". One year on and the memories of that horrific day are rehashed. The sight of the sky full with fire and down town New York covered with ash. "Memories of those who died" headline the news, disturbing photo's of the day are front cover of every newspaper.

While the world takes a moment of silence the media once again delves into the lives of the victims families. web (a public web-site) offers all the information on the day, one-year on. It even has its own art gallery publicly exploiting the personal grief that the victim's families now face. This particularly emphasises the lengths reporters would go to secure an inside scoop. Add sex and stir and you " ve got a story.

What would the news be without a provocative sideline? Brooke is following up on a previous story about women in sport. Brian agrees to air the story, considering the girl they are interviewing claims she was unfairly dismissed because she's not a lesbian. "This is not a women's sports story this is a Lez zo story" (Brian). The story is instantly transformed into a cheap send up of women's sports.

Brooke secures an interview and disgracefully incriminates the women's hockey team, by taking the interview content out of the context. Brooke changes the question from "How many members of the team have got it in for you" to "How many girls in the team are gay?" and the interviewee replies with "most of them". The adding of sex in this story completely twist the truth, but at least it gets ratings. "Sports rates, sex rates, put the two together, you " ve got a hot story". Proving the lengths the media will go to, to distort the truth.

Much like "Add sex and stir", 'Ed TV' is a movie that goes to extreme lengths for the purpose of ratings. The story is about a cable network in need of ratings. "Truth TV" searches for a real person to follow 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They find Ed (Matthew McConaughey) a 30-year old, living at home and working in a video store. At first Ed jumps at the idea of instant fame however as time passes the meddling TV network decided to introduce a new character into Ed's life Jill. (Liz Hurley) Jill is simply in the show to seduce Ed to secure ratings.

By doing so Ed's life is turned upside down, with the lose of loved ones the 24 hour TV show proves to be a gimmick exploiting a dysfunctional family in front of the world. "Add sex and stir" and "Ed TV" together use irony, false gestures (ie. Noddles) and character exaggeration to distort the truth, to win the war of the ratings world. In the fight to win the ratings war, TV networks must appeal to certain audiences. "We ain't got dames" revolves around the female audience and their interests in the media. Frontline are told that there aren't enough female viewers, and are pushed to brainstorm ideas to make the show more "women orientated".

The pursuit of female viewers leads the frontline team to alter the perspective of the Cheryl Ker not interview making the audience see her as a woman and a mother rather then a serious politician. Mikes sweatshop story is truly newsworthy, however it is converted to a fashion story. This episode of Frontline emphasises the television networks misunderstanding of woman's interests. The network takes a sexist view, understanding that women are only interested in fashion and family issues and are oblivious to the understanding of the serious issues in society. This episode also emphasises the image of women in the media, being beautiful is more important then your intellect and achievements.

Anna Kournikova is a woman's champion in tennis. In 1998 she won the women's doubles at the French Open, before releasing a self-entitled calender. Not long after the 'Sydney Morning Herald' published a story entitled "Annas on TOP". There was no mention of her victory and the stories focus revolved around the outfits she wore and when her swimsuit addition would be released. Not one featuring photo was with a tennis racket. "We ain't got dames" and "Annas on TOP" aim to avoid hard issues, and focus on the sensational and mindless.

Through irony, juxtaposition and visual exaggeration women are perceived brainless and cheap. Truth, morals and good taste are all scarce in contemporary society. We live in a time where 'truth' is a figment of your imagination. The texts dealt with; "mirror images" the media today, exposing the corruption behind the scenes of 'current affairs' programs, broadcasting ever night into our lounge room's an inaccurate image of the day's happenings.

Commentary slanted, with a particular political or ideological opinion in a large amount of cases, manipulating and distorting the truth to suit the presenter and their network. frontline episodes.