Want to be a news anchor? Get a makeover.

I have never understood the male obsession with female TV news anchors. But, even without understanding it, I do understand why sometimes people who are less qualified for that position get the job. When you are on the radio, it does not matter how you look. When you are writing, no one is staring at you. But on TV, appearance does matter. While it may be a cheap way to get viewers, having attractive news anchors works. They also may get hired due to the way the human brain works. People perceive someone who is more attractive and symmetrical as being smarter and having better social skills. This has been known as the "halo effect". Beauty can influence whether someone will get hired and it can influence how much they are paid. On TV, it is necessary to capture the audience and keep viewers watching. This will have an effect on ratings and how much people are paid. So while hiring the better looking person may not seem ethical, it can be beneficial.
When it comes down to how much someone is paid. Those who have above-average looks usually are paid more. This is called the "beauty premium" and it is especially true in professions where someone needs to keep the "client", or audience in this case, interested. They can earn around 5% more than their colleagues. The below-average looking people are subject to the "plainness penalty" and can be paid around 9% less than their more attractive colleagues. Age, weight, height, and how symmetrical and appealing to the eye people are can really influence their luck in the work force. When it comes to TV journalism, it is very obvious.






And now...a clip about my favorite tv show about a girl trying to make it in the world of journalism...and she got a makeover...go figure!

Clinton on the news

Many know news reporters by watching the news. Some people have a favorite journalist because of the articles they read in publications. But when a station needs viewers, sometimes a celebrity reporter is added to the payroll.
Chelsea Clinton, the girl who evaded reporters, is now one of them. She has no journalism experience and is famous due to her political parents. For someone who truly has worked towards their goal of being a journalist and has not had the advantages she has had, this would be really unfair. I'm simply a viewer. As a viewer I think it's unfair, but at the same time I see how she will pull in viewers and even though she comes from a famous family, she shouldn't be barred from the profession.I do strongly believe that only those who are best fit for the profession should be working in it, but just because someone comes from a privileged upbringing does not mean that they are not fit. The real issue at hand is that journalists are losing jobs to celebrities because stations want more money. This is wrong. If this trend continues, news sources will lose the credibility that people trust them for.
I hope she does well and if people don't like her on the air, well then change the channel. It's as simple as that.