Our Voice
There are conflicting views these days on the effectiveness of news media, especially with the introduction of television networks broadcasting news 24/7. These networks often times recycle news throughout the day until some new information “breaks” and then every aspect of that story is told until the general audience knows far more than is necessary.
In many cases, “breaking news” is no more than frivolous information, which feeds society’s need to find failures in others. When it comes time to report stories such as natural disasters, and terrorist attacks, the audience is numb to the heightened language and emphasis placed on that powerful story.
Six years ago the world was exposed to a senseless act of terror that took over the world of media. Televisions, newspapers and the radio spent almost every minute depicting what happened on 9/11. Images were engrained into our minds and our sense of security was threatened. Even after the audiences knew all the details, they were replayed again and again. 9/11 was no longer breaking news but just a cycle of horrific images and recurring information.
Today, it seems as though we have grown tired of this same story. The newspapers all still cover it, you see it on TV and hear about it on the radio, but it does not make the impact it once did.
As has been stated, there simply isn’t anything new to report. We’ve seen the footage of the buildings falling. We’ve seen the coffins containing bodies pulled from the rubble. There are no new images of Sept. 11, 2001.
All that remains is mourning, and tearful remembrance. And even that is starting to grow wearisome.
An example: On Tuesday evening, there was a memorial service for the sixth anniversary of 9/11. Only about 40 students were present. Why is this? Because we, as a nation, are ready for better news.
The pain we all felt on Sept. 11, 2001, will never completely fade away. However, it may be time to focus on happier ordeals. The day Pearl Harbor was attacked is still mentioned in the news, but it is not the main story each Dec. 7, maybe the same approach should be taken for 9/11.
Perhaps Pearl Harbor is a bad example, as it occurred 66 years ago. The pain has had time to numb, whereas an incident like the attack on the World Trade Center has only had six years to heal. Pearl Harbor has long become a scar, whereas 9/11 is still a healing scab.
The tragedy that day in New York City dominated television stations, radio frequencies and newspapers around the world. How often do other human atrocities do the same for us?
People die everywhere, every day for many reasons. Others, elsewhere, died on September 11, and were not noticed. Do their deaths matter less?
Granted, the death of so many Americans is tragic, but does it blind us to the bigger picture. How many people died in Darfur on Sept. 11 of this year? How many homeless across the world starved to death on Sept. 11, 2007? How many of these people made the news? How many were mourned?
Why do we mourn a scab, while other wounds still bleed freely?
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Sep 14 2007. Filed under Opinion, Our Voice.
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