It’s an unfortunate reality of today’s world that many media establishments attempt to increase ratings/readership by displaying clickbait on their websites.
“Clickbait” is defined as online headlines designed to grab attention and getting readers to click on a link by using sensationalism, exaggeration, or by withholding key information to generate advertising revenue through high web traffic even if the content is misleading. A standard headline simply states facts, while clickbait uses suspenseful wording to push readers to click on a link.
Here are two recent unfortunate examples.
KEEL radio posted on its website last Friday (June 19) “New Study Ranks Louisianas Among Least Patriotic in The U.S.” The post came only days after the B-52 crash in California that killed the eight-member crew, one of whom lived in Haughton. (BTW, a Go Fund Me account has raised over $70,000 for that family.)
Evidently Gary McCoy is not a veteran nor does he have empathy for those that serve, and die, in the armed forces. His post was based on another skewed Wallethub posting that ranked Louisiana as the third least patriotic state in America. So much for his patriotism and responsible journalism examining the veracity of the ranking and the factors used in its compilation.
Not to be outdone, the Shreveport Times has now posted “These Louisiana cities are among the worst run places in the U.S. Here’s why” on its website citing a Wallethub study which ranks Shreveport as the 17th worst run city in the U.S.
This report has Baton Rouge at 67 on the list of best run cities in America and New Orleans as the 11th worst run city in the U.S.
The Shreveport ranking of 132nd overall included the following:
146th for quality of city services
77th for total budget per capita
146th for financial stability
86th for education
142nd for health
136th for safety
113th for economy
116th for infrastructure and pollution.
These criteria and the accompanying ranking, much like the KEEL post on patriotism, are so slanted that they do not merit any constructive examination.
However these online postings should send a message to advertisers and patrons of these two media outlets that have out of town owners.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.