For this assignment I spent a few hours in front of the television this morning. I spent a good amount of time switching, from CNN to Fox to MSNBC and back. Like I knew it would be, all three networks shared most of the same stories. But one story was the focus of all three networks- the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Each network devoted time to recapping what happened and the hurricane’s aftermath. Time was also given to discuss what has been done since to rebuild New Orleans. While I wholeheartedly agree that this day should be commemorated and thought should be given to what we have done and how much more we have to do, I nevertheless, find this news to be not totally “newsworthy.”
132 people were killed in India because of flooding. A bomb in Turkey, the fourth bomb since Sunday, killed 3 people. 67 Iraqis were killed after a pipeline explosion. Two more American soldiers were killed in Iraq. A potentially devastating hurricane is quickly approaching Florida. Israel and Lebanon are still stuck in negotiations. And what was the front page of the New York Times webpage? “Gulf Coast Marks Year After Katrina.”
After completing this week’s reading this only makes sense. The Hurricane Katrina story is the epitome of a human-interest story. It was sad, people died, and to top it off, it sparked political finger pointing on who should have done what. Yet, even so, it is difficult to see so much attention given to a story when there are so many more immediate issues that merit the same attention.
132 people were killed in India because of flooding. A bomb in Turkey, the fourth bomb since Sunday, killed 3 people. 67 Iraqis were killed after a pipeline explosion. Two more American soldiers were killed in Iraq. A potentially devastating hurricane is quickly approaching Florida. Israel and Lebanon are still stuck in negotiations. And what was the front page of the New York Times webpage? “Gulf Coast Marks Year After Katrina.”
After completing this week’s reading this only makes sense. The Hurricane Katrina story is the epitome of a human-interest story. It was sad, people died, and to top it off, it sparked political finger pointing on who should have done what. Yet, even so, it is difficult to see so much attention given to a story when there are so many more immediate issues that merit the same attention.
posted by juliafm at 7:44 PM
3 Comments:
Hey, I just have one question regarding your post. You wrote that "The Hurricane Katrina story is the epitome of a human-interest story" and because "people died...sparked political finger pointing on who should have done what...there are so many more immediate issues that merit the same attention". Well, why would the media cover other issues if this one is one that touches everybody (it happened on the US territory) and also, the issues that you raised weren't solved yet?
What you are saying is true. Katrina propoganda has gone on for a little too long. However, I think you could have thought of something more concrete than HK as a human interest story. Midterm elections are coming up soon. Perhaps the media is focusing on the story in order to swing some votes (different news outlets will favor Republicans or Democrats, obviously)? Peace.
So, regarding the general issue of international versus domestic news - if we all lived inthe same country, then perhaps we would all care about what is going on in other parts of that country, indeed so when it is a grave tragedy. But, America is kind of isolated in it's physical location and ideology from much of the rest of the world, and still hasn't totally recovered from Katrina, so it does make some sort of sense to run this news, if nothing else than to retain attention.
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