We have spent a lot of class time discussing the effects and
responses to violence in media. Many of us seem to feel that the violence
should be limited and/or regulated. This is particularly in light of the
concern that we as a society are becoming desensitized to violence, because we
are bombarded with it daily on television, in movies, and in the news. I have
to come to the defense of the news, though, by pointing out that we have to
remain informed, and the news must provide us that service, no matter how scary
its content is.
A previous blog post discussed the lesser amounts of local
news coverage here in England and the role local news coverage plays in the
creation of Mean World Syndrome through its constant coverage of local crime,
distorting viewers’ perception of the world as a more violent place than it is.
I actually believe, though, that this lack of local coverage could potentially
be a major loss.
Through research for my second application paper, I came
across a study that looked into whether using a public health model to frame
violent news content would bring a purpose to news channels’ coverage beyond
just informing. Using a public health model would just mean adding context to
the issue at hand, the way news covers diseases and medical issues. Through
this framing method, viewers are presented with more than just a horrifying
school shooting, but also with what needs to be done to prevent such aggression
from happening again.
When local violence is covered in this way, the community
majorly benefits. Keeping that in mind, I feel that having less local news
coverage in England could be a problem. I am pessimistically doubtful that
crime and violence is less prevalent throughout England than it is in America.
If so, presenting communities not only with the violence that is taking place
within it, but also with what needs to be done to stop it, is a role news
channels should be playing, here and everywhere. Because they can focus on
smaller areas, rather than an entire country as the BBC does, local news
channels would be best at this.
Lauren -- I love this idea of implementing a public health frame when reporting violent crimes! I agree, it is very important for local news to be covered for one's area, even if that news is violent. In my view, it is much more important for individuals of all age levels to be aware of the happenings in their surroundings rather than focus on what could be their reaction to developing a Mean World Syndrome. However, teaching about safety while simultaneously reporting violent crimes could not only fight against this fear of the world, but be beneficial in the preparedness of all viewers in the slight chance that they may encounter the same situation. Just earlier today I saw a news link posted to Facebook about an armed robbery in the neighborhood across from mine that ended with a man killed and his wife and 8 year-old child with gun wounds. If this isn't worrisome enough, a neighbor of ours was robbed while no one was home a few months ago. A mix of news and personal experiences is definitely starting to change the way I see the area my family lives in. Of course I know these are limited instances and that we live in a good part of town, but I can't help to worry about my family's safety. If the news were to report on ways to protect yourself if you find yourself at gun point or in a robbery, I would surely feel more at ease.
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