One of my favorite and most admired TV personalities as a child was Mr. Rogers. He often introduced the viewer to many harsh realities of life, but in a way to always stay positive. In one episode on tragedies, Mr. Rogers said something that I believe has as much relevance, if not more, today compared to back then, “Always Look For The Helpers”.
This is what we are mostly seeing on British news channels versus their American counterparts. British news coming from channels like Sky are focused on interviewing the helpers and people who risked their life saving others, in many cases sustaining injuries themselves. There is minimal exposure of the mugshots and the people who did this, instead they are celebrating the strength and power to move forward.
On the opposite side, we see the same fear mongering bullshit from US news that we see every time there is a similar tragedy. We plaster the faces of the men responsible for the attacks 24/7 and pretend like the end of the world is coming. In addition with story titles like “London Grinds To a Stop” it makes it seem like the entire city and nation has been defeated by these terrorists, when the opposite is true. There could not be a more unified London than there is now and people of all races, genders, professions ,ect are helping each other.
This misrepresentation is the same reason why so many Americans no longer trust the main stream media news anymore. They are going to rating and making stories that will bring in as much viewers as possible and fear mongering does that. The average young person now trusts people on youtube or reddit with the truth, not channels like CNN, FOX, CNBC , ect.
Everytime a tragedy like this happens and we put up the faces of those who committed such acts, on every channel , all day long, we are doing a great disservice to the victims. These people wanted to commit these terrible acts precisely so they would have their faces and names everywhere. To their friends and fellow terrorists, they are martyrs and being celebrated as such. The news organizations are carrying out business exactly as terrorists want them to and playing into their strategy.
I am not saying that news shouldn’t investigate and release the photos and names of those who carried out the attacks, just do it from a different angle. Of course we need to properly cover a news story like this, but next time it happens, in the words of Mr. Rogers “Look For the Helpers”.
Well said, I think ch4 do the best most truthful coverage of all the news channels in the UK. But of course overall the media today reports on fear for everything.
It's crazy how they would rather put us up against each other then give us actual news of what's really going on around the world it's almost as if they don't want us to become what we're destined to be they don't want us to step into our true power we're so much more than what we are now we just need to band together as one unit and rise above it
If humans survive it will be because of humans like YOU :)
This. I was trying to find a video I had in mind but was unsuccessful. Basically it was a sheriff saying he doesn't want to name the school shooter and make him infamous for what he had done and that we should focus on the victims - followed by a reporter of (maybe Fox) instantly afterwards saying "his name was x and here are some photos of him".
Its despicable.
The US journalist got a lot of critic about being too sensationalist and not respecting etiquette. I guess its the adderal, the ambien or something is wrong with prozac.. or maybe the rumours are true and half of them is incredibly dumb and uneducated.
Well said and so true! I'm an American and only see the US news and am sick of the way they do exactly what you said ... give more attention to the terrorists and tell us it's hopeless. Hope the media takes a cue from the British.
US strategies itself are horrible
I can't even face the msm in the US. I will source from alt sites on the internet if I seek the news.
The US news is found in many places so look around and read several sources and you will have a better idea of what is happening!
Solid analysis on this.
I've been thinking a lot about why people treat violent acts by terrorists different than other forms of violence. In the US, a person can shoot up a movie theatre, or a Planned Parenthood clinic, or a Grade 1 classroom and nothing changes. But if a terrorist attack kills the same number or fewer, people are suddenly on board with refusing or evicting all refugees and banning travellers from entire countries and declaring war on all practitioners of an entire religion.
Even here in Canada, people will worry about taking in refugees just in case there is a terrorist in the mix. "Better to be safe than sorry!" they say. But nobody shows that much interest in stopping domestic violence. Or repeat sex offenders. Or drunk drivers, all of whom are far more likely to harm us than terrorists.
the US likes trouble.
Strong angle on this, i wasnt aware that British stations consistently reported this way on this type of story.
As you mentioned, there is some merit in each approach. It's absolutely necessary that there is coverage of the ideology that did this, even if the focus is not the specific identities of the people involved.
You are 100% correct! The US "media"only cares about ratings and whatever party is paying them off to spew their latest "news". I used to watch the news multiple times a day (years and years ago) but as everyone here agrees it has become the mouthpiece of ignorance and sensationalist "journalism". Rarely are there factual stories anymore, usually it is being used as an attempt to further stupidity in the world, when I want news now, I check multiple international news outlets, Reddit, etc. Great post, Steem on and now following!
Ever notice how CNN always has "Breaking News"? I remember when breaking news meant it was important enough that they broke into the show you were watching.. Canadian news is a little better...
Really interesting article, but on a bit of a tangent, I particularly enjoyed the reporting of the man running away with his pint.
Yes indeed
nice news
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Well, maybe it's easy to take sides in this debate when neither side is getting the story right.
Both sides of the Atlantic have their narratives and programming to advance.
I won't be programmed, and my narrative is one of I told you so.
Neither side will get to the root of terrorism or any other evil in the hearts of man. Why? Because one must embrace the Truth, the Good News, and by doing so turn from evil. This is just as much true for terrorists as it is for news correspondents.
The Good v. Evil narrative, as much as it promotes nice things done by Nice People, is still designed to fail. The "do the best that you can" in the face of "bad stuff" narrative is just as insidious. It makes for good superhero and Disney princess movies, and good feeling fluff pieces on TV, but we all know that God is far above these things.
So pick your side. It will still be wrong. And it will still be right. It just won't be Truth.
distance maybe the factor???