This document discusses and criticizes the low quality of popular media like television shows, magazines, and news programs. It provides examples of insensitive segments on Jerry Springer that exploited a disabled woman for entertainment. Tabloids prioritize sensationalized celebrity stories over meaningful journalism. Many news shows seem more focused on flashiness and trivial issues rather than real problems of local and national importance. In conclusion, the author argues that this trend in popular media has lessened the value of news that citizens rely on in a democracy.

1. Popular TrashThe Low Quality of Television and Magazines

2. What happened to class?

3. Jerry Springer segmenthttp://tubeonline.info/video/dD_ZmmWi5zk/Jerry-Springer-Retarded-Redneck-woman.htmlThis was one of the saddest things I have ever seen and the audience loved it. How could the show have let this poor woman on like this. Did no one talk to her and realize her condition?But the audience loved it. That isn’t sad. That is scary.

4. TabloidsDo we really need to know these things?Here is a link to a very informative article by Ed Grabianowski. He describes how tabloids typically get their stories as well as giving us a little of their history. He also mentions the origin of the paparazzi and some well know celebrities who have successfully sued the tabloids for libel.http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/tabloid.htm/printable

5. The New NewsDoes it seem that the news shows these days are more about trivia and celebrities than real issues of local or national importance?Please be aware that this is a dramatization. Any resemblance with actual events or persons both real and fictional is a result of creative imagination and nothing else.The purpose of this video clip is merely to emphasize the point that news shows are becoming more about flash and less about news that matters.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axZbYBgAkAU

6. In conclusion, it is my opinion that the media has cheapened the value of the news that we depend upon to successfully run this democracy.