Ionrock Dot Org

In the car today, I listened to a radio show discussing a press release from Mel Gibson. Situations aside, the concept of a press release struck me as strange. My impressions of what the "news" is meant to research and report what is going on in the world. This does include what is happening with celebrities and what happened at the game.  The problem I see is that when someone can do a press release and the papers/websites/etc simply publish it, what does it say about the rest of the content they provide.

Some friends of our play in a band and they consistently have fun writing a press release for their albums. In one release they said they created a huge machine full of blades, wire and antiques to write the record. Interviewers consistently asked, "So tell me about the music box..." Another release they claimed was recorded deep within the New England countryside beneath some ancient relics they found. Again, the press questioned where in New England.

The point here is that if someone can simply present the press with the content, then who is really judging its reliability before it is published. It also makes me wonder if the press even confirms or analyzes their sources. If they do not pay any attention to the content of a press release, what changes when they actually have something serious to report on?

The one good thing about the press release system is that it is a great way to advertise. Companies can let people know about when a major release is out or when they make a merger that could impact customers. I do think this aspect is positive, but it still makes me question the authority of the news organizations.