Expert: Ralph Salier - 10/10/2005

Question
Mr. Salier,
 I am currently attending a community college in MAine. One of my english assignments is to contact an indvidual and to have him or her respond to a question relating to my topic of interest. My topic is "The Media's Role in Sensationalizing Personal Tragedies". My question to you, sir is. Why does the media take only certain personal tragedies IE: Lacy and COnnor Peterson murders, Natalie Holoway disappearence, and make them appear to be something that the whole nation is concerned about? If this is too vague or doesnot interest you I am sorry, but I feel that there are some news stories that do not warrent the coverage they receive. Please explain. Thank You for your time. I hope to get your response soon.

                               Sincerely,
                               John O'Leary  

Answer
John,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to your question.  It is a very good question and one that does not have a simple answer.  The revers question is why don't we see more "feel good" stories?  

First of all, this society seems to be drawn to tragedies and we tend to feel the need to "rally around" the down trodden.  
Second, as a people, we want to know what is "going on".  The fact that what the media provides is only a small snippet of the whole is lost on most people.
Third, by sensationalizing the story, they get more viewers or readers.  The reality is that the news is a product and the more people who are drawn to it also see the associated advertizing.  It has been shown by research that advertisements around sensational stories also sell their products well.  
Fourth, the government is deeply involved in keeping the people fearful.  Why? so that they can get away with stuff and it does not make it to the media or ends up on a back page quietly hidden away.  Yes, the government now controlls the media in very insideous ways.  Check it out, you will see news stories in the BBC or other English language new outlets that should concern us but that we never see in the US news medias.

It is rather scary that we nolonger have an independent news media and that as a result what we see and hear is closely controlled.  I read several forigen news papers, and other media outlets.  I nolonger trust the US media to tell me the facts or the truth.