What does it mean that a fictionalized TV series about the news has more credibility than what we...

[matmar]

...actually get as news from the major networks and cable stations (outside of a few programs on MSNBC)...I'm talking about HBO's "Newsroom"....

[elleng]

1. Means that we're starved for reality.

[southernyankeebelle]

2. It means we are getting what's really going on behind the scenes in real newsrooms. No

wonder that real newsroom don't like it. I love it.

[riverbendviewgal]

3. Wishful thinking that this fiction show was real

life. Guess we all have our dreams

[Cleita]

4. It means the same as to why a fictionalized TV series about the White House had more

meaning to us about what being an American is and how Washington should function than the way Washington really is. Remember "The West Wing"? It was also written by Sorkin who is now writing "Newsroom". How many of us still want a President Bartlet?

[avebury]

7. I totally agree.

I want a President Bartlett and his staff. I also want a news station that offers the truth and instead of what the 1% and Corporate Masters tell them to report. Instead of reporting the lies call the liars out for what they really are.

Edit to add that The Newsroom makes me really dissatisfied with the real news channels/shows and ready to turn them off in favor of searching for my news on the Internet.

[RedStateLiberal]

5. Corporations and money have corrupted TV news.

But they'll happily sell an idealized version to us as fiction.

I just hope The Newsroom is popular and stays on the air. It could possibly lead to real tv journalism returning to some effect. It should be required viewing for them IMO.

Maybe it will inspire the real people who do that for a living and they'll push back on the corporate influences and lust for ratings.

Maybe people who watch The Newsroom will see how much better tv news can be and reward those who actually do a good job by tuning in regularly.

As the saying goes, truth is stranger than fiction. In the case of tv news it really shouldn't be, and I know it will never be as perfect as a dramatized version, but one can hope it at least gets better. Right now ours is almost totally pathetic.

[BrendaBrick]

6. It means that we are starving for truth

and if *life imitates art* as a result...then in this case, all the better. It's one of the few dwindling arsenals available to capture a largely hypnotized, brain-washed massive audience and suggest both what is missing and what is needed in a gentle, yet persuasive manner.

[SnohoDem]

8. Well, a comedy show has more credibility

than the 'news', so it's not surprising that a drama could do better, too.

[Heywood J]

9. I thought you were talking about Jon Stewart. (NT)

[spanone]

10. it says we're screwn

[kentuck]

11. However...

I would have to say that it is much easier to come to these decisions after weeks and months have gone by, rather than in real time. I would love to see them address issues in real time, like TW3...