Time magazine should change its "Person of the Year" to "Newsmaker of the Year" Here's why. First, some background. Time's tradition of selecting a "Man of the Year" began privately in 1927, when the magazine's editors chose to focus on aviator Charles Lindbergh as the most prominent news story of that year. Lindbergh, who made the first nonstop trans-Atlantic airplane flight, was selected, partially to compensate for Time's embarrassment at not having him on its cover after his historic transatlantic flight. The issue depicting Lucky Lindy as "Man of the Year was published in early 1928.
Below is the first Time "Man of the Year" issue with Charles Lindbergh on the cover.
In 1936. Wallis Simpson became the first "Woman of the Year," after the British monarch, King Edward VIII, gave up the throne to marry the twice-divorced American. In 1999, Time finally recognized women by changing the name of its "Man of the Year" to "Person of the Year." However,
It must be stressed that the "Person of the Year" designation was never intend to be an award or an honour. In 1998, Walter Isaaaon, then editor of Time, wrote that the person of the year title recognized the individual "who most affected the news and our lives, for good or ill, and embodied what was important the year, for better or for worse." Nevertheless,, "Person of the Year" certainly sounds like a prestigious honour.
It must be remembered that Adolf Hitler was selected as Time's "Man of the Year" in 1938. Joseph Stalin was chosen twice, in 1939 and 1942. Vladimir Putin was named "Person of the Year" in 2007.
Another reason the title should be changed to "Newsmaker of the Year" is that a person has not always been given the designation. In 1982, for example, "The Computer" was named "Machine of the Year."
Sometimes an organization or a specific group has been named. In 1956, the American Fighting Man was chosen. In 1966, Time named "The Inheritor" as "Man of the Year." The cover story story specifically mentioned a few young adults, but it was meant to focus on the under-25 Baby Boom generation.
In 2005, 'The Good Samaritan" was designated "Person of the Year." In the cover story, Bill and Melinda Gates and U2's Bono were noted for their philanthropy.
In 2006, Time named "You" the "Person of the Year." It was intended to refer to anyone who uploads information on internet sites and social media. Some critics accused this choice as being gimmicky. as well as self-promotional.
The title "Person of the Year" is confusing and ambiguous. It sounds like an accolade. It has a positive connotation. It seems to indicate approval. If that's not what Time intends, the current editors should be more clear about what many consider to be an award. The magazine's choice for 2024 was Donald Trump (He was also chosen in 2016.}. Trump has most definitely "affected the news and our lives." Therefore, he is certainly qualified to be "Newsmaker of the Year." However, he is far too controversial to be honoured as "Person of the Year." Yes, to some Trump is a hero. To others, however, he is a menace. An honour should be given to someone who has unequivocally contributed to the betterment of humanity and to society.
END NOTE
* Since Time's "Man of the Year" began in 1927, every sitting American president has been named. to the title, with the exceptions of Calvin Coolidge, in office at the time of the first issue, Herbert Hoover, Coolidge's successor, and Gerald Ford, who became president in 1974 after Nixon's resignation. Ford was never elected to the office. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the only person to be chosen three times, in 1931, 1934 and 1942.
* In 1999, Albert Einstein was chosen "Person of the Century."
- Joanne
