Newsworthy?...reviews

In this modern day and age, sitting down to watch the 5 o'clock news is just not possible for many of us. So how do we keep up to date on the happenings of the world? The Internet!
So, I decided to look at different websites for daily news updates and review them. I chose which ones to review by typing "news" into my favourite search engine and reviewing the first 4 that came up. In order to be fair, I decided to look ONLY at the home pages. So now I ask, How Is THIS newsworthy?!
(all websites visited on June 18, 2009)

1. ABC NEWS
The feature story is interesting, its about DNA tests proving a 55 year old man was not the kidnapped boy everyone thought he was. Thats about the only main item I saw as newsworthy. Sure they have links to things that are important to readers like information on NASA moon landings and the economy, but those are just small links in an average size print. However, there are pictures and even a little blurb for classic news gems such as...."Al Roker Squares off with Heidi and Spencer?" and "Cher: Chaz embarking on a difficult journey".
The first article is about a semi-feud between tv broadcaster Al Roker and the famous for being rich "Stars" Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag...if you dont know who they are, they are on several MTV reality shows which follow them around as they live VERY well funded lives, the original show being The Hills.
The second article is about singer Cher's daughter with Sonny Bono, Chasity Bono. Apparantly she is undergoing a sex change operation, and the article is where Cher describes her feelings on the whole thing.

2. FOX NEWS
For a company that is somewhat notorious for some less than successful shows sprinkled among some very succesful shows, I would say their news site is not ...decent.
The top 1/3 of the page is filled with links to thigns that seem like hardhitting news stories. "U.S. military tracks N. Korean ship suspected of carrying weapons, missile parts or nuke materials" and "Ex-Marine: 2 friends confess to killing boss, wife". They even have a section with stock updates. The rest of the home page though...thats a different story. There is an entire section called "Features and Faces" that, at least on this day, seems entirely based on the celebrity scene and gossip. There are 8 pictures, each with an accopmanying title and caption. I have listed the titles and captions here:

1. Porn Star Sex Scenes Cut
Sasha Grey's first legit role called for three sex scenes, but all were axed from Soderbergh's film

2. Where are 'Friends' Now?
PHOTOS: The cast, the famous guest stars — even Gunther! Find out whose career is on fire, and who's waiting tables

3. No Death for 'Heaven' Dad
'7th Heaven' actor Stephen Collins doesn't understand how Christians can support the death penalty, calls for repeal

4. 'I May Not Understand'
Cher speaks out about daughter Chastity's decision to become Chaz, says she will support the surgery
(apparantly that is newsworthy to a lot of people!)

5. Wearing Little is 'Liberating'
Anna Paquin goes nude on HBO hit 'True Blood,' shows grown-up side in new Self

6. Joel Cheating Rumors
Did Joel's estranged wife's relationship with hot young designer end marriage?

7. 10 Celebrity Smokestacks
PHOTOS: Someone get these stars some nicotine patches, and tell them velvet ropes don't prevent cancer
(this one includes photos of some of hollywoods biggest celebrities on their smoke breaks)


8. Smaller Package, Good Thing
The 2009 Nissan 370Z has a big new trick up its sleeve
(at least this one is a car report!)


The rest of the page is filled with advertisements, links to the different fox news shows, etc.



3. YAHOO NEWS

The one website I was expecting to be flooded with gossip....wasn't. Doesnt this say something about America today? The websites that are actually supposed to be news stations are made up mostly of gossip, but the search engine page was almost entirely news!Includes a featured section, as well as top stories, most popular, local news and weather, U.S. news, world news, politics, business, science, technology, health, travel, sports, "odd news", opinion. And fear not, gossip lovers, they have an entertainment section! However it is appropriately located in a small area and doesnt explode all over the screen like Paris Hilton's Diary threw up on my computer.


4. GOOGLE NEWS
I had the same outlook for google news as I did for yahoo news but was once again, proven wrong. In this case, however, they didnt have anything entertainment based what so ever. Strictly news, barely any pictures, and the pictures that were there were thumbnail size.


In closing....
News sites should give me news, not celebrity gossip. If I wanted celebrity gossip, I would get it from a gossip site. Enough people have gotten so caught up in the lives of celebrities that porn stars turned actresses is considered newsworthy enough to make it on the home page of a website.


Ranking of these news sites, best to worst, based on the amount of actual news present on the home page.
1. Google
2. Yahoo
3. ABC
4. Fox

Really?
Yeah, that just happened.