Media behaviour in a crisis
Posted by: CAT17
12th Jan 2011 07:47pm
Are you finding that the media are treating disasters like a reality show. The journalists seem to be in a frenzee and some of the questions they ask are no less than outrages. The more sad or horrifying the situation the more they "circle" for the kill!
Watching the PM nodding her head and looking almost uncomfortable to be there with Queenslands Premier was embarrassing. Ms Gillard just does not show any emotion and speaks as though she is giving a lecture. Why aren't her minders telling her to act like a "real" person and not a nodding emotionless robot. I think the Qld. Premier speaks well and is obviously genuinely concerned about the people in her state. Politicians use the media for political gain and in fact fly in from any where to get on telly.
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Comments 19
skydancer12
While I watch many news/current affairs programs, I loathe how they seem to prey on those who are the most vulnerable - they can't seem to resist showing the blood/gore, the tears and the heartbreak. Rarely do we see a good news story which would be most heartening. ,Without the media I wouldn't know how to replicate the bomb the 'Boston Bombers' created (not that I'm so inclined) but why show us every little detail of how it was made?
19chris51
yes CAT17 I do believe that the Media , is disgusting, they report badly on most subjects and do not show objectivity in their reporting, I realise that some particular events are not morally a good subject to report on, but to be good you have to be objective (which is possibly difficult in some cases).
I also think the Media blows lots of subjects out of proportion,are quite bias, and can make or break a person or situation.
shaz
Itotally agree with your comments.100%.Ilive in queensland and the footage on the december 2010 floods was herrifick.At least Anna Bligh showed her emotions and was not just putting on an act .
shaz
Itotally agree with your comments.100%.Ilive in queensland and the footage on the december 2010 floods was herrifick.At least Anna Bligh showed her emotions and was not just putting on an act .
babs
i think the media is pathetic some times, some of the reporters have lost the plot,with the New Zealand earth quake, a car wash squashed with a body inside, the reporter ask how is he, what an idiot the poor person was dead,all they want is to be the first to report, they need to thing about their questions
sarishka
I have to totally agree with Professer, the Qld government and associated departments have a lot to answer for re: the Brisbane floods, and hopefully this will come out in the inquiry later this year. The management of the release of water from the dam and the timing of release is very questionable. The Premier popping off to Sydney for New Year is unacceptable. And the misinformation on the TV by the Premier needs investigating. Anna Bligh took a deadly situation and used it to her advantage. I for one am neither impressed or fooled.
CAT17
Hi,Cat 17 here, thanks to everyone who commented on my opinion regarding the media and its behaviour, I have replied to only one comment, but I think you will agree that my reply is to you all. Thanks again for your thoughts.
Professor
You are right with your comments CAT17 however, what most people do not realize is that these politicians and their current Governments are mainly to blame for the extent of the flood disasters and unfortunate loss of life. They have been aware for at least the past 12 months that this situation was likely to occur, and due to their inactivity and some-what low intelligence many loss of lives and substantial property damage could have been avoided.
CAT17
I think we are being "governed" by media, there is hardly a day goes by with a "press conference" The other morning Kevin Rudd was up bright and early being seen on the early morning shows talking about the no flyzone over Lybia and then Julia came on a couple of hours later with a press conference about the same subject, almost repeating word for word what Kevin had said! I think politics in Australia is so focussed on polls and what the media can get across on the spot. It is annoying the listen to a onesided conversation when there is a press conference as you don't get to hear the question the jurno is asking, just the pollie's answers. Interesting to watch the body language too, and ofcourse if any question is asked that was not "approved" prior to the press conference the pollies rush away. It is as bad as reality tv shows except it is sereously sad because these people are our so called leaders.
Stekel
The Qld.Premier has risen with this disaster to a great Premier and has gained many points in the election standing, I myself now find it hard for her to loose the next State Election.
As for the media, well they had a frenzy which lifted the viewing public for a while before it disapated as every thing does or must.
As For Julia, Well England had the Iron Lady, Julia might be the same.
Ollie
Probably the media can't win whatever they do. For national disasters, I think it is important for the rest of us to 'realize' how bad it is for fellow Australians, otherwise, we pay little credence. Media is big business and their enthusiasm to remain competitive sees them sometimes overstep the line.
Politicians do use the media for personal exposure. Julia Guillard is probably being herself, tough and emotionally controlled. I'm glad, because I don't want to see an out of control emotionally charged, blubbery person, would much rather see a calm intelligent person on the tv.
Slightly different topic, the media let us all down and turn into reality shows when they persist in carrying on about nobodies and their private lives, such as Shayne Warne, his text message, and how long he stays in his house with his latest (Liz Hurley) and when they emerge... where they are off to. It is really sickening, so banal and boring and who cares ? I don't.
Absolute rubbish! More and more I'm over at the ABC news.
skydancer12
No the media can't win! They are fighting to get that "first" 'Big scoop', to beat all others and they generally generally end up looking like they all use the same script writer. I prefer SBS World News Australia or SBS Aljazeera. My biggest "gripe" though is the "abhorrent" treatment of DERRYN HINCH. Hinch has fought so hard for the children of this world. He has named and shamed pedophiles (as should be the norm) and for this he has endured a witch hunt of sorts. He now faces another jail sentence and for what, for releasing the details of a predator whom the parole board released back into the community to perpetrate an evil and disgustingly sickening crime. Perhaps instead of reviling Hinch we should give him a medal for having the guts to stand up for his convictions. Love or loathe DERRYN HINCH he has the guts to speak his mind. How many of us would have such courage?
Shay-Dee
The media has always been this way, nothing has changed except thaT WE HAD A MAJOR NATIONAL DISASTER RIGHT HERE IN aUSTRALIA not IN ANOTHER COUNTRY WHERE IT AFFECTS US INDIRECTLY. (sorry I hit caps lock lol). That means we felt it more, and were affected directly by the people hit hardest, and the media as well, so now it really brings it home how "hungry" the sharks really are. We tend to turn the other cheek to deal with it when its other countries that are affected. As for the politicians, what they did was focus on the major towns and left out all info on what was being done to all the small places like Emerald etc who are STILL trying to clean up all the mess. Yes, Gillard talks in monotone, but those people who believe she is a emotionless obviously did not watch the news very often, I saw her twice, crying while she gave speeches to the media, and her voice cracked, and she had to pause, it was NOT fake .... They still have to do their job, and I don't like it, but they were as affected by this as we are
hubbu
I think that all the polititions are focusing more on natural disasters, than other government issues. Although they need to and need to help the people who have lost their homes and especially the one that have perished in the disasterous floods and cyclone. On ya Gillard your doing a top job!
Liz
Yes Julia....I agree..well done so far under very trying circumstances. Compromise is something we should all learn....not everyone wins all the time but doing something INSTEAD of nothing is a start in the right direction.
RussJ
Could not agree more especially about the way the commercial television media report during times of public crises in Australia - The floods in Queensland were not even over and one particular channel had already produced a promotional piece telling us how well they had done in bringing the flood news to the public. One thing I can't stand is the cyclic video clips that are played with a voiceover or conversation or interview taking place at the same time, even showing scenes from some locations while talking specifically about similar events in other places. Not very professional really.
sarishka
The media in this country have lost all credibility and not just in relation to disasters. Trial by media seems to be the norm, and false reporting is an everyday occurrence. Just ask Tony Abbott about their total misrepresentation of a situation and a remark taken out of context, and then plastered all over our TV screens on nearly every channel. Julia Gillard needs to totally replace her advisers, and politicians of all levels need to stop using the misfortunes of the people they supposedly represent as an election platform. Further more politicians need to stop believing that voters are fools and start treating them with respect.
CAT17
Hi sarishka, I totally agree with your comments and would just like to add a little more on the behaviour of the media. Of late I have been very concerned that this federal government (particularly) seems to be governing this country via the media. No decision is announced unless the media are there in a frenzie to have their questions answered by the PM or other Minister. If the questions aren't the ones that have been previously approved of and get a little uncomfortable, the PM immediately leaves the press conference. We are only getting one side of some of the most important decisions being made supposedly on our behalf. Like the announcement in NZ that we will now be importing apples from NZ even though there is a risk that desease could be brought in with them. Why did the PM announce this in front of the Parliment in NZ! Was she after a "good news" story for herself whilst the media were in full force? The media can't wait to announce any information leaked from the Opposition cabinet room, but some how don't give the same amount of attention to blunders by this government. It is like the opinion of the media is the only one that counts. There are many Australians that are very against what this Government is doing and yet the public's opinion is rarely related on TV. Channel 7 proved to many of us just how low they will stoop to get a story to air. Lord save us from the media.
E T
Agree with the point of view aboutthe media and think some questions they ask are stupid. Tony abbott with his swagger when he walks gives the impression well here I am and I think I am the greatest. Gillard monotone voice without any expression in it sounds as you say like a robot.