A magnitude 7.8 earthquake occurred Saturday, April 25 in Nepal, 50 miles northeast of the capital city, Kathmandu. In the days following the quake, more than 5,500 are confirmed dead, more than 10,000 are injured, and hundreds are still reported to be missing.

Yet, despite this tragedy, many major news programs choose to focus on other topics, such as Bruce Jenner transitioning into a woman, and whether IKEA is ruining relationships. This, unfortunately, is an increasing trend in the media. News focuses on stories considered interesting or bizarre, shifting away from major points which should be emphasized.

However, the media cannot solely be blamed for this trend. The aim of many news networks is to appease their audiences. Unfortunately, many viewers watch TV for entertainment. Instead of watching news which affects the ever-changing world around us, viewers seek captivating stories which require little to no thought and don’t give viewers an uneasy feeling when they turn on their televisions.

This movement goes against the very essence of what hard-hitting news embodies. News should not only inform viewers of the falls and triumphs of the world, but should also make an audience feel something. Good news informs, but truly great news captures a snapshot of mankind and the struggles they face every day.

This is not to say consumers do not care about the world we live in and are heartless enough to turn a blind eye to catastrophe. Most do have a feeling of compassion, and although they are not personally affected by disaster, they feel sympathy toward their brothers and sisters of different faiths, races and nationalities which face hardships on a day-to-day basis.

As a journalist, it’s difficult to say I’m hesitant to watch the daily news but it’s true. I am afraid that through all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and through all of the coverage of insignificant oddities, important issues will be long forgotten, buried under a long line of pure entertainment.