Encouraging Ethical Media Coverage

In the wake of the recent shooting that occurred in Parkland, Florida, mass media coverage of the tragedy occurred immediately, with almost no time to think about what occurred.

This kind of reaction is not unusual. When faced with times of unexpected tragedy, the first instinct of the masses is turn to media sources.

Most people scour through their social media pages, click on trending tabs to see detailed information about what occurred, view photographs of crying victims on news articles, and see clips of live-action footage on major television networks.

Even while an event is occurring in real time, it is easy for people to obtain every single detail in just a couple of minutes.

But what sort of consequences that sort of immediacy entail? Are we better off in a society where getting information quickly is of utmost priority?

Although leaning towards having more information may seem tempting, the main problem with the Parkland case, as well as the other traumatic incidents that have occurred, is that the magnitude of the events are being obscured.

Yearbook advisor Susan Pavelka said, “The media should be there to inform and educate and prepare the public for what is actually occuring, and not to sensationalize [these events].”

Rather than being able to just present what is occurring, many media sources, whether for ratings or views, seem to seek to incite a degree of fear in their audiences.

“When the media sensationalizes something, it causes panic, and people become reactionary, and are not proactive to stop these things from happening,” said Pavelka.

Along this line, some news sources have even gone to the extent of pushing certain opinions and political agendas immediately following these tragedies.

Obviously, it is ridiculous to claim that information that occurs from national tragedies can ever be isolated.

This is a digital age of pure information. This current generation is far more connected with the world on a large scale, with cell phones, laptops, and other technology at their fingertips. The moment these events occur, everyone immediately goes on the internet.

Video production teacher Rene Vela said, “I think we are in an age, unfortunately, where news will just get out.”

He added, however, “…there is a responsibility to get the facts out correctly, as you can cause damage if you just rush to a conclusion, or worst, get the wrong information out.”

Remember: students want to feel a sense of security and safety when they attend school. But they live in a world where media constantly surrounds them.

It is impossible for students to fully understand events while being assaulted with information from all directions.

Without trusted adults, teachers, and friends, it is easy for students to get caught in the chaos.

When such tragedies occur so close to home, it is pertinent to discuss these issues with children and teenagers without the guise of preconception.

Most of all, we must remember that these school shootings affected vulnerable, budding youth. Mass media must have the social responsibility to regard the physical and mental well-being of students above it all.

News outlets should be grounded in facts, and be as clear as possible in order to facilitate a healthy discussion.

These tragedies should not be overly exaggerated. Fearmongering merely inspires more copycats to emerge for media attention. And panic blurs the focus.

This initiative for more ethical media coverage is incredibly difficult to grapple with and it is hard to execute in the short term. Public information should not be restricted from being accessed by any American citizen.  But we must look at these events rationally, and not from a place of personal bias.

This isn’t merely just a one-sided issue either. Students, parents, and teachers must be aware of the media outlets that they chose to obtain information from.

Keep in mind that news media outlets may not always choose to present the truth, but may show a flawed lense of thinking. Emotions can easily be influenced by careful writers.

There is no way to take away what occurred in Parkland, Florida. But rather then shrinking away from the shooting that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, we must take the initiative to shift the intentions of the media for the security and comfort of students.

In the end, it is everyone that must continue the march for a more ethical media in the United States.