Realistic Musicals? I think not.

The musical Newsies tries to emphasize the difficulties of the working class in the late 19th century.  The story revolves around a news-boy "strike" in an attempt to gain recognition from major coorporation leaders not to raise prices on newspapers.  The musical is compelling and enjoyable, yet an unrealistic representation as to what would truly happen in the real world.

Some of the most unrealistic ideas about this musical were the mere fact that a group of extremely young, inexperienced boys could make an even marginal impact upon business and industry leaders of America.  The end of the musical included the industries eventually giving into the Newsies; this in real life truly would not happen.  Although it makes an interesting and heart-warming story for the viewer, the real business world is unforgiving and would not sacrifice their profits to accommodate a relatively small group of individuals.

The musical relates to journalism ethics in a number of ways.  First, the relationship with the Newsies and the industry leaders directly correlates to the relationship between the media and individuals giving information to the media.  You see, the two work hand-in-hand.  One cannot exist without the other, thus making each side have to appease the other.  In the case of the Newsies and the newspaper industry leaders, the leaders were eventually forced to give into the needs of the Newsies.  The strike was eventually proving to be detrimental towards their industrial profit.  In the case of journalism and the media, the media sometimes can wheedle information out of individuals through paying.  These ethics may not be particularly wholesome, however this is the only viable way the journalism industry can make money.  Without individuals giving information to journalism companies, the companies would cease to exist.  There is a true and direct relationship between the musical Newsies and the integrity of the Journalism industry.