The film Network was a stark and prophetic tale of the descent of journalism into the depths of sensationalism. In it we were greeted by the "Mad Prophet of the Airwaves" named Howard Beale as an unhinged alcoholic newsman who on his last string declared that we should all just yell "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not gooing to take it anymore." In the film this suggestion was taken to heart by the American public as they collectively leaned out their windows and vented.

Ok, finally to the question for debate. Has news lost it's relevance? There used to be a time (although never as the film quite portrays) where newsman were respected and admired. People would go to the news not just for the headlines but to know what was important, not just to the editors and boardrooms but to the people watching. As the film demonstrated, the news media has lost (at least in my mind) all relevance. Mainstream news sources are derided as puppets of larger interests half the time, and as biased rabble-rousers who twist facts like pipe cleaners the rest of the time. All the while alternative sources are almost universally despised no matter how thorough their process is.

So, is the news media still relevant to you? What sources do you trust? And is there anyone in the field who could be our "Mad Prophet" for this new millenium of uncompromised fear and distrust?