The media circus moves on

I was driving in Melbourne reflecting on the time we spent as chaplains in the bushfire affected areas the previous day and I switched on ABC radio to listen to any further coverage. There was an interesting topic being razed regarding media ethics, particularly in covering the Victoria bushfires. They had media ethicist Dennis Muller on to comment on how some of the stories have been covered. It was interesting when he talked about guidelines for reporting that reporters must ask themselves, is this story necessary to report in the public’s interest or is it purely to satisfy public curiosity. I find that an interesting and helpful guide in terms of my own discipline as a consumer of information.

Sadly, most of the time, media speculate, dramatize and use inappropriate emotional lures in order to get your attention, sell a story and make lots of money. While the coverage of events such as the bushfires are essential for raising awareness and support from the community I think this question needs to remain our guiding standard, Do the public really need to know this or is it purely to satisfy curiosity?

This guide may even form how we conduct our face to face conversations out of respect for those who are deeply affected. Not only are methods for sourcing information absolutely appalling but motivations for sharing information need to be checked.

Papers like the Herald Sun are nothing better than a gossip tabloid and even The Australian and The Age have let it slip a little in the frenzy of securing the most excusive story with the most shocking information. The way some have described how and where human remains have been found and who is more important than another in recognizing and name those who perished is deplorable. So far only one paper has published a public apology on their inappropriate coverage of a story. Dennis Muller wrote in to The Australian to complain on behalf of a family he was close to who perished in the fire. The Australian covered a story about them with speculative information and no actual facts. They made the bold move of publishing Dennis’ letter with an apology. Now I reckon that takes guts and integrity to do that so well done The Australian.

While callers rang the ABC during the program and shared their views (some criticizing even ABC’s coverage but most applauding their sensitivity) some were mentioning the TV media and how inappropriate they have been. Then last night I saw one of the things they were complaining about with my own eyes. Channel 10 news had a still picture of a burnt house displayed behind the news reader. As the news reader talked they had these graphics that some brilliant drongo had concocted of computer generated smoke rising from a few areas in the photo. Not only does it look tacky but have they thought about the on going trauma that causes people?

I’m critical about this because I have now spoken with survivors, volunteers and professionals and I have some idea of the effect the media is having on them. And for all of the positives that our coming from coverage with the raising of money for survivors etc, there are so many negatives with their methods and practices.

I heard stories of media personalities from all TV stations doing things like bribing Red Cross people for the red arm bands we were wearing so they would have access to restricted areas; stealing CFA uniforms and posing as firefighters so they could get in and get a good story; sneaking past road blocks and finding people who hadn’t left their burnt homes yet and badgering them for a story. If you have a problem with the way the media are covering stories, write in a complaint, stop watching their news channel and stop buying their papers, they need to learn how to display real journalism with integrity not tabloid speculative gossip.

The worst part is the way the media created a swarm of activity, they pounced on people and relief centres from day one. Channel 7’s Sunrise program did the noble thing of setting up camp in Wittlesea and even flew their weather presenter down from Queensland where she was covering the floods (because they don’t matter any more, there’s a better story down the road). Now Mel from Sunrise might put on an emotional show and maybe she was deeply affected by the devastation, but the problem that Dennis Muller raises is that media personalities are not trained for this, they are not counselors or relief workers, and they don’t have the experience to deal with these things.

So they get in peoples faces and share their stories. What we don’t see however is what all the other onlookers see, the media scrum harassing for a story like seagulls running and squawking for a chip as devastated people look on bewildered. When we were there working with the Victorian Council of Churches as chaplains, the media had disappeared and the impression we got from people was that if they came back they wouldn’t be very welcome. Not only did people survive a firestorm but then they had to endure a media storm for a full week. They have no ide the effect they have on people when they all pack up camp at once and leave the people they have exploited behind.

The media circus moves on to the next attention grabbing story. Have they learnt anything? Will they alter their practice? Only time will tell.

Mark