PressEthic

It is interesting how heavily popular culture, rather than traditional news sources, influences our attention to global affairs. Many of the concerns and hotly debated issues that people in my generation are aware of come up because a popular celebrity has become the issue’s advocate. Case in point- Bono of U2. On October 5th, 2005, Jeffrey Sachs will be lecturing at the Skirball Cultural Center at NYU. Tickets are very close to being sold out. Now I’ll bet that many of those attending are truly interested in what Mr. Sachs has to say (he is, after all, an important figure in economics and the controversial UN Millennium Project). But his presence alone will not sell out over 800 tickets. Bono himself will be there to introduce Mr. Sachs and his fight to end poverty around the world.

It’s interesting that younger generations don’t become aware of world affairs until a media icon brings it to life. This presents traditional news sources with a challenge to engage our youth. We need to move with the times and connect with teens and young adults.