Is the Fake News the Real News?

“There’s no news, like bad news.” is a quote spoken by media baron Elliot Carver, the antagonist of 1997’s James Bond film ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’. The truth in the statement is that, in most cases, the most interesting and memorable news stories presented on each respective broadcast are the stories of disaster, death, and mystery; Stories of discovery, rescue, and celebration are far less emphasized and are easily pushed aside when something wickeder rears its ugly head. It is because of the depressive nature of the news that we have satirical news broadcasts and other satire-related forms of programming.

These programs are a form of what is called “culture jamming” which, as the text describes it, is a form of media activism that subverts and reworks the intended meaning of existing media texts, or parodies major corporations, public figures, and their media images.

Popular examples of these programs are ‘The Daily Show with Jon Stewart’, ‘The Colbert Report’, as well as the former Canadian sketch show, ‘Second City Television’.

           

These types of programs are an acquired taste and can, occasionally, be viewed as tasteless, needless, or offensive. For me, personally, I see these shows as a reliable and more entertaining way of acquiring important information that I would not otherwise find out about due to the news’ aforementioned dull and depressing nature. While they are not always, of course, the most reliably accurate and honest source of information they take steps further than their serious counterparts by adding the element of humour and entertainment. Not to say that they are always bending the truth or making up elements, however; these programs often only incorporate their own specific reaction and diagnosis’ which, like everyone at home, are to be taken as such and are not necessarily meant to reflect the opinions and ideas of the general public.

           

Problems that do occur with these types of programs are often related to that certain stories, personalities, and situations are no laughing matter. Making light of the starving children in Africa would most certainly stir up controversy and likely trigger a new media focus of its own, with the instigator being most likely shown as carelessly insensitive.

          

  Is the fake news the real news? To many, it is. I accept The Daily Show as a suitable news source and I know that I, and many others around me, would be otherwise blind to Rob Ford’s latest misadventures. To conclude I quote myself saying, “There’s no bad news, like bad news mayors…I MEAN BEARERS!”