Media hypocrisy

I find it disturbing that the White House Correspondents Dinner (WHCD) garners seemingly unlimited media attention.  A glitzy gathering for those on the "A" list, with jokes from POTUS and the designated host, the event is a staple for those working within the Beltway.  Days of build up, with numerous stories meant to whet the appetite of the reader for more of the drivel most media pass on as information.  Pre-parties, the red carpet arrivals, who brings whom to the event, the dress worn by the First Lady, and on and on. 

Enough already.

The self-serving over reporting of an unimportant social event illustrates what media critics deplore: hypocrisy.  (To the voices raised in objection, I'll stipulate the event does raise money for charity.  However, this fundraising can easily be done without the cost and spectacle of the event itself.)  The media is, sadly, hypocritical.  Not long ago the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) bemoaned the lack of access to the President, stating they are "shut out."  But at the WHCD, everyone is all chummy.  Obviously the WHCA wasn't shut out of the event.  So it leaves me wondering at the spectacle and lack of principle by the WHCA.  If, as a group, the WHCA truly believed they are being shut out by POTUS, then what better way to make a statement than not holding the annual event?  Why give the electeds and their hangers on a glitzy affair at which they can rub elbows with entertainers?  The hypocritical media simply can't see past itself to understand the contradiction between their words and actions.

Beyond that contradiction, another aspect of the excessively fawning coverage of the WHCD is troublesome.  The self-same media isn't covering the trial of the abortionist Gosnell.  (Reports describing the manner of his killing of children are gruesome and won't be repeated here.)  Abortion remains an issue that sharply divides the country.  As such, this trial then deserves complete coverage, because it is news.  Those who "report" about the color of the dress the First Lady wore to the WHCD consider it to be news.  Why not the Gosnell trial.  There is a one word answer: hypocrisy. 

So,when seeing the amount of (supposed) news converge of the WHCD, I'm saddened and angry.  Saddened at the spectacle and angry at the hypocrisy.