General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA perfect characterization of the national media flocking to the scene of OK tornado....
"Disaster Porn"
Raven
(13,900 posts)the ruins of peoples lives...literally. Just described items in a little girl's destroyed bedroom. I wonder if that little girl is even alive. MSNBC coverage is making be physically sick.
tanyev
(42,622 posts)and showed that they'd brought in stuffed animals, food, a cooler, etc. all the while talking us through his imaginary version of the event. He didn't talk to any of the actual family members--I got them impression they just came up on this shelter after the family had left and decided to show it. He seemed really emotional telling his imagined story. I don't know if he was genuinely affected or if he was doing his best Glenn Beck imitation. I had to turn him off because he sounded so much like Beck.
Ninga
(8,277 posts)Ninga
(8,277 posts)I am fearful enough that our country has become desensitized when it comes to violence and tragedy.
Disaster porn is a drum beat that starts to dull feelings, because of the overwrought nature of the anchors selling the story. Cable news actually interferes, rather than helps.
flamingdem
(39,328 posts)but you won't see the number popping up on CNN now because that makes them look like they are spending too much time on what they said was the hugest tornado ever, blah blah.
Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)is that really a bad thing?
treestar
(82,383 posts)About tornadoes, about this one - I have many questions that have not even occurred to them.
oldhippie
(3,249 posts)... we'd all be bitching about the "news blackout."
Ninga
(8,277 posts)and late evening equals four daily hours.
cynatnite
(31,011 posts)This is one of the ways that people get help. This is one of the ways that encourage people to donate to organizations like the Red Cross. This is one of the ways we can use to pressure the government to do a better job of providing relief as well.
This does serve a purpose.
Ninga
(8,277 posts)scheduled telethon type programs are highly effective in raising disaster relief funding.
That is quite different and apart from 24/7 no-new-news coverage which feeds those who thrive on helpless drama.