Current Events Anyone?

Charlie Sheen's drug-related antics, incoherent banter, and home life have been circulating among most of the media networks and newspapers, sweeping more important events such as the crisis in Libya under the rug.

Observing the reactions of students to Sheen's behavior is even more daunting than his actions. Students could quote his ridiculous statements but when I asked a fellow honors student what she thought about Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi and Libya; I was returned with blank stare. Who cares about oppressed citizens in riots and rebellions when Charlie Sheen tweets about winning and tiger blood?

Returning home that night, I flipped on the television and realized that it wasn't completely her fault.

They cover what sells but in this, they lose their role as providers of news and information- a resource for us busy American folk to keep in touch with the world. When did mass media stop covering what actually matters to Americans and focus on the entertainment-related events that should be left to TMZ?

Looking back, the media was quiet about covering former President Bill Clinton for seven years, but in his last term, as republicans looked to extrapolate him, the media seemed quick to notice. I learned more in his last term about his personal life, than I did about his presidency in the preceding six years.

Years later, President Clinton has founded the Clinton Global Initiative, his foundation committed to philanthropic work around the world. He works with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, collaborated with former President Bush Jr. for the Clinton- Bush Haiti Relief Foundation, and continues a strong arm for social justice. It's apparent that the President continues to be a great man of the people and has done a great deal for our nation and world but the media hasn't harped on that.  

In Libya, young protestors have gathered once again, like others did in Egypt, to gain freedoms from  Ghadafi or "The Brother Leader."

But instead of taking away their Internet with Facebook and Twitter like Mubarak did, Muammar has fought back with violence, killing more than 1,000 Libyan citizens this week, in clashes with government supporters and military forces.

While Charlie Sheen's recent antics are mind-boggling, the world continues to be faced with more-pressing issues yet we continue to live in the shadows of ignorance and focus on things that really play no role in our future.

Events have positive and negative reactions, what happens here affects other countries and what happens in other countries affects U.S. citizens. We are now, more than ever, a global community. As a democratic nation, it is our job to be aware of the events that occur in the world. It's time for  the media to act responsibly and play a part in how society delivers news, when and where it matters.