This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

"All The News That's Fit To Print"? Think Twice...

Since I’m obviously “powerless” against Big Media to ask for a retraction of a story that has made headlines since yesterday, I’m going to use the power that is within me to ask those of you who use the power of the pen to be a little more compassionate in your reporting.

A tragedy that should have been kept private while the family has been trying in vain to process the unthinkable has been published throughout the Tri-State area and in various venues, online and in print, for the “sake of journalism”. I spoke with one of the news directors at a local station this morning, who absolutely refused to pull the story; all he could offer me was a trite apology for being unable to retract said story. No condolences for the grieving family, nothing more than a “Sorry, it’s news”. He also informed me that, should he receive any more updates, he was going to report that information, as well. No headway could be made with this man, and I found myself wondering what had happened to our society, that all people want to hear is more and more horror.

Personally, I find it deplorable.

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When I think of news, I’m sorry to say, but I’m an old-timer; I don’t believe that there should be bloodlust, so to speak, when it comes to being the first on the scene with what’s referred to as “breaking news”. There are victims involved, there are families who are processing grief, there are people who are helplessly watching as they witness those who have incurred such a monumental loss as they cry, scream, rant, and feel the torment of a shocking loss. Why aren’t we refraining from reporting until we give families a chance to fully grieve? Why are we reporting everything that seems newsworthy, regardless of how the victims or the victims’ families are feeling?

I began to feel disillusioned by the news years ago, when I watched in horror as the local news stations recapped the planes flying into the Twin Towers, over and over, to a point of ad nauseum. I wondered how the families of those who hadn’t been found yet must have been feeling, and I wondered how long the news felt the obligation to continue to rehash something that was obviously causing grief to so many. Weeks later, as the footage continued to be broadcast, I wondered if there was a course that journalists must take in college, that required them to repeat something so horrific. It felt like they were pulling scabs off of wounds; I wondered whether or not journalists were required to report a story, regardless of how it was making others feel. I don’t remember taking any of those classes; perhaps it’s now part of the new syllabus. No offense to those who are still reporting true news stories, but I find the new type of broadcasting rather disturbing and heartless.

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The victim of this most recent horrific tragedy was a personal family friend. Her parents are friends of ours, and I cannot even begin to imagine the devastation that they are experiencing right now. However, it must be magnified for them, to pick up a newspaper, to have others send them stories that they found on the Internet, or to turn on their television, only to find the horror replaying for them ad nauseum. I wonder whether or not reporters have the uncanny ability to put themselves into the shoes of those who have suffered loss. I wondered if they have any feelings at all, based upon the experience I just had with the young man on the phone this morning. I felt sick to my stomach, among other feelings.

I had been given the news, quite early, as the situation was unfolding, yet I refrained from reporting it, out of sheer compassion and respect for the family. While I understand that stories must be reported to the public, I wonder just how much is news, and how much is true bloodlust. It has been said that, during times of tragedy, humans have the inability to look away from horror, as is the case with rubbernecking during a car accident. I wonder how many people have been drawn to this particular story, out of sheer compassion, or out of morbid curiosity. I feel appalled that, sadly, our society flocked more to the latter than the former, thanks to the media. My apologies to those who report with consideration.

My story will never make more of a headline than what appears to you today in this venue. However, I truly wish, with all my heart and soul, that reporters would show at least one iota of empathy when they report. Show the human angle of the story, why don’t you? Have some respect for those who are in grief. Allow the family a bit of privacy, before you begin reporting the gruesome details of your “story”. Put yourself into the shoes of those who are struggling to make sense of something so senseless. For the love of God, as well as for the love of humanity, stop making someone’s death “news that’s fit to print”. If the world within the scope of your reporting is interested in all of the “gory details”, they only have you to blame. Say you’re sorry, on camera, to the grieving family, if you have already aired the story. Not as an aside, but to the camera. Show your human side. The grieving deserve your respect, your honor, and they deserve some time to feel what they have to feel, without having all of the reporting world shoving it in their faces, again and again.

On a personal note, I pray, with all that is in me, that this family finds solace in their memories of their loved one. I pray that they will know how much they are loved and supported, in this time of grief, as well as during every other time in their lives. I pray that they will be able to endure this loss, and that they find comfort in knowing how much others care. I also pray that there will be some top reporters who will read this story and understand how much pain they are inflicting, by the use of the “poisoned pen”. Not all news should be reported, and that is my personal belief. This is not the view of this venue, so please do not hold them accountable for my views.

I also offer up a silent prayer for all of us, journalists and non journalists alike, that we will all understand the power of our written or spoken words. I pray that we will understand that some words should not be spoken, and that some stories are altogether too sensitive to report. I pray that we will all begin to think twice about the words that we write; I thought long and hard about writing this, and I realize the amount of feedback that could potentially hit me in the face. I am prepared, and I stand behind what I have said completely. Sensitive stories should be considered, because there are people left behind who have to deal with the aftermath, and they certainly don’t need to hear repeatedly any reminders of the burden they must now bear.

Rest in peace, my dear friend. May you know that you have touched my heart completely, and that my life is a better one because of your short presence. And may you know, on the other side, that this story is dedicated to your memory, that others may find empathy in their words before they feel the need to share them with the world. Godspeed.

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