In an industry where accuracy matters more than fluff, the big news is on holograms. The Mainstream Media (referred to as a proper noun for purposes of douchebaggery) have made news items out of the technologies they use to broadcast the news: “virtual presence” for ABS-CBN, and “holograms” for GMA-7. All technical aspects and nomenclature aside, the message reflected to me – Lowly Consumer of News Shown on Television (again, referred to as a proper noun for purposes of douchebaggery) – is nothing beyond cachet, buzzwords, and keeping in step with “how the rest of the world does news.”
I don’t know much about holograms except from science fiction, but I sort of know how news is delivered. I have nothing but respect for reporters and news anchors who take a lot of pains to make sure that their story is accurate and on time. I should know: having done it myself at one point in my life, I know how difficult it is to gather facts and write news. The holograms themselves may have been made in the interest of making the news livelier and (to a certain extent) more tolerable to watch, but the rest of the day, outside of triggering nausea and raising a few eyebrows here and there, hologram effects don’t really add to value, nor do they inform the public better.
