Monday, October 22, 2007
Events with disproportionate media coverage
Over the years, I have noticed that the major news outlets seem to have constant coverage of events that don't necessarily deserve it. For example, this year's "Trapped Miners" story was covered for multiple weeks as a national story, when it only directly affected people in a small area. I could see it becoming a local or even statewide story, but I don't understand why it was such a large national story. Another example of this was the whole Terry Schiavo case that recieved coverage for years. While I think that story was overly covered by the media, at least it had an underlying principle (whether the husband or the parents had the right to decide what to do with her). Many of these stories are simply irrelevant to the nation, and will have no long lasting impact. I guess people like hearing about these stories, but I personally find them annoying and feel that they distract viewers from more important news.
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I don't know anything about the Terry Schiavo case, but the "Trapped Miners" story got so much media coverage because it was tragic, and most Americans pay attention to tragic events in America. Although it doesn't sound very compassionate, the media likes to cover the stories that will get the most attention from viewers. Besides, the "trapped miners" story does have an effect on the nation. Other miners throughout the U.S. would have learned about this story and probably have been affected by it in some way. Maybe the story raises awareness for the dangers that miners face, which could push for a safer environment for the workers or protests against mining. Who knows? The point is, it can have an effect on people nationwide.
I agree with Justin. Many stories that the media covers are simply overplayed. Practically anything can be stretched to affect the nation, and if everything affects the entire nation, does that mean they are of equal importance? Absolutely not. It would be of much more practical if the media prioritized their stories so that viewers could get a sense of which stories really affect them. However, the media plays what sells so; I don't see this ever happening, because I'll admit that even I would find the tear-jerking story of the trapped miners so be much more interesting than the recent statistics on American deaths in Iraq. Yes, these stories are moving, and that is probably why they are so overplayed but, as Justin mention、 they shouldn't reach above the statewide news circle. These fluff stories only distract Americans from real news that as an impact on the world.
I agree with Josephine and Justin. Many of these stories are created into a nationwide issue while they should remain in their respective states or communities. However, each independent medium of news aims to attract the most readers or viewers. This makes these "tear-jerking" stories contagious, and spread rapidly. The mere fact that it is a tragic story doesn't necessarily foster interest (many tragic stories are completely ignored by the press(http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2006/07/24/apartment-fire.html)).
However, I disagree in the statement that these are "fluff stories" that "distract viewers from more important news".
The irrelevant news often goes more in depth and has actual peoples' stories. This can serve as a form of catharsis. When these news stories take on a more positive form, they might temporarily distract the omnipresent negativity which exists in practically every news story (This story was linked to from CNN (http://www.wlwt.com/news/14404195/detail.html))
Although these stories are most times completely irrelevant they offer a glimpse of relief and hope.
This reminded me of an article I read a while ago discussing how criminal actions have declined over the last decades, but media coverage has practically doubled, which adds to the sentiment that the world is becoming more dangerous. Unfortunately I can't find that article. :(
The media covers these nationally "irrelevant" stories because it thinks that those stories would get the most attention and viewers. When something big or rare happens in some city, they know that there are people out there that are curious about it. Although these stories may not have any "national" importance, I think that its still good to know what events are happening around the nation. It helps keep Americans updated on current events that are happening around the nation.
Should we not have covered September 11th Justin (Yes this is an exaggeration so do not try to use it against me, I do know that we were attacked and that is different)? You are my boy but come on, the reports keep the nation united. There is nothing like a tragic incident, even if it is sad that this is what it takes, to rally our nation together and make everyone re-identify as an American. Besides which, these events did effect everyone. The coal mine was a source of fuel, especially in this energy crunch crisis; who would not want to hear that the prices might be going up.
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I think that the media is attractd to these stories because they are personal interest peices. people like the drama and the action and so the newspapers and tv stations will cover them. i sont think that these stories are too annoying but they do take up a lot of air time for stories that are proportionaly small.
I would have to agree with Justin on this one. The media tries to get the stories that they feel will compel readers to read their newspapers, or viewers to watch their news broadcasts, but are these the stories that we need to hear? Unless they have a true impact on the entire nation, it seems that these stories should stay within the local media, not spread throughout the nation. I know you realize that your example is an exaggeration, but Ryan the 9/11 attack doesn't even fit under the type of story Justin is referring to. But do I think that this will change? No. The media will continue to report on the stories that are the most appealing.
I think that these stories do have some importance and should be heard. Such as the trapped miners story, this could lead to safer conditions for miners. all it takes is for a story or to get peoples attention on these stories. just look at the civil rights movement. was integrating a high school important to people living in ohio who already had integrated schools. probably not but it helped lead to equality between different races.
Hmm, this seems like the same topic discussed on "What is News?" on Thursday, September 20, 2007.
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