The media in the midst of the crimes

By Roselle P. Gale

STORIES of crimes and violence have been bombarding us the past weeks.

With all of these bloody scenes being beamed out from our television screens, it seems that we are getting used to the carnage. Thus, the result is we tend to just ignore it, like bubbles that have caught our attention for just a few seconds and then puff out and then we forget about it. This is what the magic bullet theory of communication conveys.

As a future media practitioner (I hope so), I am still wrestling with the question whether it is the media’s fault for highlighting such stories or they are simply doing their job of informing the public. As a journalism student, we are being taught about the responsibility of media to the public. But it is somewhat confusing whether the media gives us what we need to know or gives us what we are supposed to know. And it is also related to how the stories are being relayed to the people.

“Conflict” is one of the criteria in determining programming appeal used by the broadcast media to catch the attention of viewers or for setting the story line-up by the print media for their readers. And what are these conflicts? Some examples are wars, kidnapping and hostage taking, bombing, and murder. And of course it has been proven is studies that everyone is interested in these kinds of stories; you have to admit you give time to watch these. That is the reality: people are interested in conflicts.

I have nothing against news programs or news in print that deals with police reports, but the problem is when these stories are sensationalized. The media must always remember their responsibility to the public and their role in society.

Fair reporting is also most important. As much as possible all sides of the story must be considered. Unfortunately, I have noticed sloppy reporting – it is when journalists just present what is obvious and do not give extensive effort in digging deep to have an objective and balanced news. Well, the truth is it is difficult to be completely unbiased because all of us do have biases. But as media practitioners, we must strive to detach ourselves from the event (but it doesn’t mean not caring about it). Abusing a “conflict appeal” just to get high ratings is unacceptable.

The public does need to know about the reality of rising crime incidents, in the province and in the country. I am thankful that we have a free media that can expose these.

But at the same time, I believe the media must not only present the news to the public and leave them desensitized to the crimes and the violence that is going on around them. The media must also help awaken the public and get them involved in finding solutions.

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