Negativity in media
Of late, I have started becoming more and more frustrated by the negativity in media - be it television, radio or print.
I start my day to watch the news, and what do I see ? A few explosions from Iraq and Israel, followed by a few kidnappings, and later, some stocks crashing down. On some days, the presenters also add a healthy touch of scandals, not to mention off-beat news such as the guy who goes slashing tires of all vehicles in his neighborhood. Logon to a news website, and hey - more violence, deaths and kidnapping.
Its hard to understand the media focus on the feel-bad theme. Agreed, people need to know the facts. But its very hard to believe that there are only bad facts. Why dont we get footage of red cross volunteers in Somalia? Why dont we get more footage of children going to school in Iraq?
Why dont we see more interviews of doctors doing voluntary work around the world? Is it because good news is too "sweet" and has no shock value? Maybe in the race to grab our attention by our eyeballs, media companies everywhere have started a relentless campaign to bring out more shocking and disturbing news, leading to a general feeling, that no good exists anymore in this world.
In the 40's, a single murder in the papers may have shocked people. Today, we chew on our cereal as we watch skeletons and flesh blown away by a blast. Negativity in media has finally begun desensitising us, to the point where we no longer feel much, unless it happens to us. Tsunami in Asia? Hmm. Very bad. Katrina? Yeah, thankfully it didnt happen to me! Snipers in DC? Lets go elsewhere for our July 4th trip. Maybe if we had a little respite from these things, from all the carnage and violence, public sensitivities would return back to more healthy levels. Maybe, people would start donating more to charity, if they did not feel at some level that whatever they do, the next day will bring out even more, and even worse situations.
Are these really the things we want to surround our lives with? I would like to wake up one day, and see a "Global Literacy increase rate" chart instead of the usual Terror Alert level...
I start my day to watch the news, and what do I see ? A few explosions from Iraq and Israel, followed by a few kidnappings, and later, some stocks crashing down. On some days, the presenters also add a healthy touch of scandals, not to mention off-beat news such as the guy who goes slashing tires of all vehicles in his neighborhood. Logon to a news website, and hey - more violence, deaths and kidnapping.
Its hard to understand the media focus on the feel-bad theme. Agreed, people need to know the facts. But its very hard to believe that there are only bad facts. Why dont we get footage of red cross volunteers in Somalia? Why dont we get more footage of children going to school in Iraq?
Why dont we see more interviews of doctors doing voluntary work around the world? Is it because good news is too "sweet" and has no shock value? Maybe in the race to grab our attention by our eyeballs, media companies everywhere have started a relentless campaign to bring out more shocking and disturbing news, leading to a general feeling, that no good exists anymore in this world.
In the 40's, a single murder in the papers may have shocked people. Today, we chew on our cereal as we watch skeletons and flesh blown away by a blast. Negativity in media has finally begun desensitising us, to the point where we no longer feel much, unless it happens to us. Tsunami in Asia? Hmm. Very bad. Katrina? Yeah, thankfully it didnt happen to me! Snipers in DC? Lets go elsewhere for our July 4th trip. Maybe if we had a little respite from these things, from all the carnage and violence, public sensitivities would return back to more healthy levels. Maybe, people would start donating more to charity, if they did not feel at some level that whatever they do, the next day will bring out even more, and even worse situations.
Are these really the things we want to surround our lives with? I would like to wake up one day, and see a "Global Literacy increase rate" chart instead of the usual Terror Alert level...
posted by Dream Runner | 5:36 PM
3 Comments:
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now. Keep it up!
And according to this article, I totally agree with your opinion, but only this time! :)
Dear Anonymous Correspondent,
Kindly reveal your secret identity so that I can thank you correctly for the praise :)
Also, all bouquets and brickbats are most welcome. The more you make me think, the better I can write !
I really like when people are expressing their opinion and thought. So I like the way you are writing
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