Media should cover news that matters

In February the Associated Press conducted an experimental "blackout" of Paris Hilton. For one week it asked all reporters not to cover anything Hilton. If only that blackout had lasted longer or if other news media would follow suit, maybe last week the public would have heard more about the news and less about Hollywood gossip. With all the trips to jail and court the hotel heiress made last week, the media could barely keep up, but it made sure to try to keep us all up to speed. The excessive coverage, which almost rivaled that of the Anna Nicole Smith media circus, overshadowed some more important issues. Some of the headlines boasted such trivial happenings as "Paris reportedly scared off the potty," "Paris Hilton 'teetering on the brink'" and "Hilton: I am learning and growing in jail."

To someone that knows Hilton, this is probably very important news that could have an effect on their lives, but most people watching the media coverage do not even know Hilton, and the news has absolutely no effect on their lives. Other things were happening around the world that are more important for people to see than Hilton in a prison jumpsuit.

Here are some things you might have missed while even the major news networks like CNN, ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC were covering Hilton's case and creating a buzz.

More than 40,000 pounds of beef was recalled because of E-coli contamination. The meat was sent to Wal-Mart stores in 12 states, including Louisiana.

Eight leaders from some of the wealthiest, most powerful countries in the world, including ours, met for the G-8 Summit in Germany last week to discuss global issues like AIDS in Africa, genocide in Sudan and global warming.

A polarizing issue in America also entered media coverage again last week. While citizens were being fascinated by the revolving door that seemed to be installed in a Los Angeles jail for Hilton, the fate of millions of non-citizens was being pushed to the back burner against President Bush's wishes. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who doesn't want to put the immigration reform bill on the floor for debate until there is more support, has put it in Congress aside for the moment, making the future of one of Bush's top domestic priorities very uncertain.

In health news, the Center for Disease Control reported West Nile deaths were at the highest rates since 2003, and this comes in the wake of a budget cut, that reduced funds used for prevention by $18 million. Officials suggested that the increase might have been because 2004 and 2005 were mild summers.

Though we are all only humans and most of us can't help but rubberneck while passing by a tragic car wreck, Hilton's one-accident-after-another lifestyle should not top news that will actually have an impact on the average media consumer's life. Has everyone forgotten we are a country at war or that next year we will elect the next leader of our country? Well, The Nicholls Worth hasn't, and we know that while there is a possibility the next president may be a blonde woman, it will not be Paris Hilton. The media should focus more on the things that matter, and some of the top stories on every network last week did not.