Our faith in media is displaced.
We forget that newspapers and their reinterpretation of life are designed to make money. We trust what we see on the news, and what we read in the newspaper, I believe, because inherently, we feel that if it is in print, it must be true. But media conglomerates are private entities, often owned by some of the wealthiest people in the world. We have a natural interest in gossip, and anyone who works in media knows this.
Nothing has made this more clear of late, than the disaster here in Japan. Frantic phone calls from worried friends have slowed recently, as the media in America has changed focus from the disaster in Japan to the disaster in Libya. (I believe the focus of American media was on Libya when the earthquake and tsunami happened in Japan). Then, for about a week, there was constant coverage of the disaster in Japan., of the impending nuclear meltdown, of the health hazardds to the American people and the world. No doubt, the situation in Japan was (and still is) a serious one, but I believe it was seriously sensationalized by the American media.
Media is used to make money. A story that is sensational sells much better than a story that is true. A headline that says "Radiation Levels in Tokyo Quadruple" is more likely to sell than the one that says, "Radiation levels in Tokyo still less than the amount received from an X-Ray, even if they are four times higher than normal."
Japanese media coverage of the situation in Japan was much milder. The situation was accepted as grave, and there was one man on TV night and day that gave updates regularly on the situation. He became known as "the man who doesn't sleep." It was a scary time, but Japanese journalism was interested in keeping its citizens calm rather than inciting chaos. It was constant coverage, but it was not designed to scare anyone. Rather, it was meant to be a source of comfort. I even got used to having the news on all the time, and used to seeing the man who didn't sleep's face. I'm almost sad I haven't seen him for a few days. All the while, nuclear experts were saying that the levels of radiation in the surrounding area of the plants, and in Tokyo, were increasing, but they were not yet dangerous. This was casually forgotten by the American journalist.
In addition to everything the media "exposes" it is also important to consider the million facts that have been "forgotten". (I recognize that this goes for Japanese as well as American journalism). For the American media system, I will say that I think we are addicted to tragedy, and I am concerned about whether or not all of the overblown headlines don't lead to some desensitization of the general American psyche. Do we not bother looking if it's not complete wreckage?
On the other hand, I am brimming with pride about all American efforts in donating money, military support and crisis relief. If there is one thing that can be taken from the American coverage of this tragedy it is this: it got people to help. Maybe then, the sensational coverage was a wonderful thing.
I have had numerous people thank me personally for the kindness of the American people in response to the earthquake and tsunami. I was asked to stand up at a company dinner on Friday night while all of my coworkers applauded me on behalf of the American aide. I was moved very deeply by it. The taste of all the things I'd said about the scare-tactics of American media soured in my mouth at that moment.
I have recently looked back through all of the Tweets and Facebook posts from restaurants and companies in San Francisco and have been overflowing with joy and emotion to find that many of them are hosting events and fundraisers to donate money to Japan. It makes me so proud of where I come from, and I have shared this news with my friends and coworkers in Japan. They tell me they are glad to consider America a friend of Japan.
Media makes money. Whether or not that money-making is evil, probably changes depending on the circumstance.
We forget that newspapers and their reinterpretation of life are designed to make money. We trust what we see on the news, and what we read in the newspaper, I believe, because inherently, we feel that if it is in print, it must be true. But media conglomerates are private entities, often owned by some of the wealthiest people in the world. We have a natural interest in gossip, and anyone who works in media knows this.
Nothing has made this more clear of late, than the disaster here in Japan. Frantic phone calls from worried friends have slowed recently, as the media in America has changed focus from the disaster in Japan to the disaster in Libya. (I believe the focus of American media was on Libya when the earthquake and tsunami happened in Japan). Then, for about a week, there was constant coverage of the disaster in Japan., of the impending nuclear meltdown, of the health hazardds to the American people and the world. No doubt, the situation in Japan was (and still is) a serious one, but I believe it was seriously sensationalized by the American media.
Media is used to make money. A story that is sensational sells much better than a story that is true. A headline that says "Radiation Levels in Tokyo Quadruple" is more likely to sell than the one that says, "Radiation levels in Tokyo still less than the amount received from an X-Ray, even if they are four times higher than normal."
Japanese media coverage of the situation in Japan was much milder. The situation was accepted as grave, and there was one man on TV night and day that gave updates regularly on the situation. He became known as "the man who doesn't sleep." It was a scary time, but Japanese journalism was interested in keeping its citizens calm rather than inciting chaos. It was constant coverage, but it was not designed to scare anyone. Rather, it was meant to be a source of comfort. I even got used to having the news on all the time, and used to seeing the man who didn't sleep's face. I'm almost sad I haven't seen him for a few days. All the while, nuclear experts were saying that the levels of radiation in the surrounding area of the plants, and in Tokyo, were increasing, but they were not yet dangerous. This was casually forgotten by the American journalist.
In addition to everything the media "exposes" it is also important to consider the million facts that have been "forgotten". (I recognize that this goes for Japanese as well as American journalism). For the American media system, I will say that I think we are addicted to tragedy, and I am concerned about whether or not all of the overblown headlines don't lead to some desensitization of the general American psyche. Do we not bother looking if it's not complete wreckage?
On the other hand, I am brimming with pride about all American efforts in donating money, military support and crisis relief. If there is one thing that can be taken from the American coverage of this tragedy it is this: it got people to help. Maybe then, the sensational coverage was a wonderful thing.
I have had numerous people thank me personally for the kindness of the American people in response to the earthquake and tsunami. I was asked to stand up at a company dinner on Friday night while all of my coworkers applauded me on behalf of the American aide. I was moved very deeply by it. The taste of all the things I'd said about the scare-tactics of American media soured in my mouth at that moment.
I have recently looked back through all of the Tweets and Facebook posts from restaurants and companies in San Francisco and have been overflowing with joy and emotion to find that many of them are hosting events and fundraisers to donate money to Japan. It makes me so proud of where I come from, and I have shared this news with my friends and coworkers in Japan. They tell me they are glad to consider America a friend of Japan.
Media makes money. Whether or not that money-making is evil, probably changes depending on the circumstance.
No comments:
Post a Comment