Posted by miss d at cwilbur.commsrv.indiana.edu on May 02, 2002 at 12:52:43:
In Reply to: i agree with you yet again posted by DRD #37 on May 02, 2002 at 12:40:35:
: You really sound like a good parent, and I agree with what you're saying.
I like to hope that I am. So far, so good.
: But the one thing that I disagree with is that violence on the news and violence on fictional television programs is different. If they show something on a fictional program that is violent/sexual/etc., it's totally glorified, making it seem as if violence, promiscuous sex, and foul language are good things. If a young person understands and grew up with the knowledge that it's all made up and that, in real life, violence is terrible, unsafe sex spreads diseases, and certain types of language can be very offensive, then I say let 'em watch whatever they want. But, on CNN/MSNBC/etc., they show violence and events that actually took place, and it's not glorified at all. Most of the time, violence on the news is seen in a darker light, displaying the message that it's terrible and saddening, which is the right message to send to people, especially the young.
I think this is just a matter of personal opinion. You are right. Hollywood does tend to glorify sex and violence, but I think (and this is, of course, just my opinion) "reality" tv does the same - especially in the last few years. Take 9/11 as an example. To report on it when it happened was, as you said, showing the darkness and sadness of the whole situation, but as time went on, and the news shows continued to show those images, I think, they were basically glorifying it for this sense of American "pride" (not that that's a bad thing). And to me - that's more scary than any horror film I've ever seen.
Again - this is just the way *I* see things...