Don’t believe everything you read. Surely you know that already. But there’s one particular issue I’d like to point out, as it has definitely sparked my interest in discrepancies between what is represented in the media, and the actual truth.
The large headline on the top of the front page of the Los Angeles Times yesterday reads: “New Orleans Death Toll May Soar; Survivors Desperate; Looters Brazen.” (Brazen means “unrestrained by convention or propriety.” I looked it up)
Today’s headline, again on the front page, reads: “New Orleans Slides Into Chaos; U.S. Scrambles to Send Troops.”
This is the LA Times. Many people have the misconceived notion that their news reporting is somehow accurate. They’re actually just writing the most striking headlines possible - as long as there is just one speck of truth to it.
This is from Jason Roberson of the Choctaw Central Solar Car Team in Mississippi.
One last note, the picture being painted of New Orleans in the media is exaggerated in terms of looting and lawlessness. That is only a small percentage of the population, many there are families like our own who only want to get out of there. Having lived there, New Orleans is a beautiful city with wonderful people, keep them in your thoughts.
I’m not at all suggesting that the situation in New Orleans isn’t bad, or that they don’t need more help. It certainly is a disaster, and I hope that everyone does their part in helping in the relief efforts.
However, I am saying that it’s a good thing to see different perspectives. The situation created by the media is oftentimes “exaggerated.”
Continue reading ‘Disaster and the Media’
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