Serious effects of humorous news

When it comes to reliable information, comedy isn’t funny

Apathy about current events among students is indisputably common. Knowledge of recent affairs is typically gleaned from comedic sources such as Jon Stewart of “The Daily Show” or Steve Colbert of “The Colbert Report.” We’re not knocking these shows, we love them too, but it’s unfortunate students don’t take more of an interest in professional news sources, whether it be The Washington Post, NPR, CNN or The Associated Press online.

Sadly, this problem isn’t limited to students – indifference is becoming an American epidemic. We can’t help

but be wary of this trend, which undervalues the importance of the right and ability to be informed.

Some people see fake news shows as harmless entertainment, but they are too popular to be dismissed. Celebrities and politicians appear on these programs regularly. Why did presidential candidate Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware appear on “The Daily Show” to explain himself after referring to fellow candidate Senator Barack Obama of Illinois as “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy”? He probably chose this venue because of its vast fan base.

So why do Americans flock to programs such as “The Colbert Report” rather than “Meet the Press?” These shows have a humorous element that makes them undeniably attractive. After a long day, people are more likely to seek lighthearted viewpoints than serious discussion. Also, these shows have celebrity guests who appeal to viewers. Peer pressure is also partly to blame. Attempting to watch the news would take away from a roommates’s MTV/VH1 viewing time, and if she misses Flava-Flav you might get hurt. Not to mention, ever since Katie Couric had a colonoscopy on television we have avoided network news.

Another reason we’ve heard is that humorous news shows are on late, which is often a more convenient time. This one doesn’t fly, however, since CNN and online news are available 24/7 and the 11 p.m. news was created for the very reason that Americans stay up later than in the past.

If you like “The Colbert Report” because of convenience, let us suggest some additional easy sources. The New York Times is available for free in the Union Monday to Friday. The New York Times, The Democrat and Chronicle and USA Today are available for free in all the dorms Monday to Friday. Pick up a paper and peruse it throughout the day — while you are waiting for class to start or in line at the dining hall.

You might also consider adding online news sources to your favorites or your homepage. That way the headlines will be at your disposal without having to search and you can easily scan and decide if anything merits further attention. Mostly likely you will access photo galleries, videos and audio as well as articles.

The ultimate question is whether America has become more or less informed due to programs such as “The Colbert Report” or online “news” such as www.theonion.com. Perhaps people who wouldn’t bother to access other sources for current event knowledge are at least getting some information about the world around them. On the other hand, the information they are getting is geared toward entertaining rather than informing and humor takes precedence over accuracy. Jon Stewart is hilarious, and kudos to him for delivering information in an entertaining way that has attracted a wide audience, all we ask is that you take advantage of the multiple sources of news available.