October online edition
IMPRESSIONS
Editorial:
We need to set higher standards
As
the scenes unfolded on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 it became apparent that the
media of our nation sometimes does not think twice before it airs or runs the
information it receives.
Americans became disturbed as scenes of people falling from the heights of the
Twin Towers and reports of
information that had not yet been verified as true were flashed on the
television screen.
This emotionalism reached, not only the people of America, but also to the rest
of the world. The pain of America was felt everywhere, but how they felt about
it varied immensely. The emotions were there, but the understanding was not.
Can we blame the American media
for this lack of oversight? They are constantly trying to anticipate the next
happening, and many times they will report on information they get before it is
even proved true. The sources of this stray information are partly to blame, but
the media also has a responsibility to quote reliable sources.
Television media is particularly
to blame because they are the “here and now” in the media world. They are
constantly reporting on unsubstantiated information for its “shock value” rather
then providing real news.
Sometimes we just have to sit back
and take a break from the news because even though they are reporting on the
events happening in the world, it is not real for us because we are not
experiencing it. It is important to be informed, but we do not need to hear
about every little thing that is happening in any particular situation.
It is our belief that the media
should only report the necessary information, and the rest can be made available
to those that really need the information in other ways. For example, the world
populace does not need to know where the President is at all times. He has his
reasons for being where he is and if some terrorist wanted to find him, they
could simply turn to any news station to find out. This should not be so.
The media advises discretion, but
it does not follow its own advice. Did anyone hear how Dewey won the election
against Truman? It was reported all over the country, but it never came true.
Did anyone hear how the Germans
rescued hostages during the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany from terrorists?
No, because it never happened. The media captured the German operation on live
television and the terrorists later murdered the hostages after they saw it.
In present day television it was
reported that a plane crashed in Pittsburgh when in reality it crashed eighty
miles southwest of Pittsburgh near Indian Lake, Somerset Country. This is just
one example of irresponsible reporting that occurred after that tragic Tuesday.
The media needs to hold itself to
a higher standard when it comes to reporting the information that they receive
from various sources. Many people are seeking professional help to heal their
minds even though they did not have an immediate personal connection to any
involved in the attacks. This should not be so.
Even though the media has the
ability to report anything they want to, it should also realize the point where
the information becomes detrimental to the public. An outside force should not
censor the media, but the responsibility of censorship should lie within the
media.
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Impressions expressed herein are not necessarily
those of the Pittsburgh Standard staff or its funders. Letters to the editor
should be no more than 300 words and should include the writer's name, phone
number, and community affiliation for verification. Letters must be sent by
email to the Pittsburgh Standard at
pghstd@pitt.edu. All letters sent to the paper will be considered for
publication. The Pittsburgh Standard is an independent student-written and
student-managed newspaper for the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon
community. It is published once a month.
©
Copyright 2002 by the Pittsburgh Standard
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