I was updating my video bar to reflect some of the footage taken of the National Day of mourning service when the YouTube link I've posted below poped up in the search. I wonder what you make of it. I'm kinda scared and a little bit freaked out by it, no wonder I saw no sign of Westboro Baptist Church at the service. This cute little animated puppet is one scarey dude. Have you seen Child's Play with little Chucky?
Seriously though, how helpful do you think this is? I link this post back to my post on foolish compassion. Sure we don't agree with the inhumane and outrageous views of a small minority that call themselves Christians yet hate everyone. There is something seriously wrong here and I mean some serious pshchological issues going on there with Fred Phelps and his followers.
It's interesting that I note within myself that I think I was more fired up about 'Pastor Danny's' comments from 'Catching the Fire Ministries' than I am by Fred Phelps. I just find it hard to take that guy even remotely seriously but he explains the bushfires in Australia quite simply saying, 'God hates Australia'. Of course he links it to the film Heath Ledger stars in when he played a homosexual character, saying that Australia is full of fags and we deserve it. I know I used to get angry too but I just can't take this guy seriously enough to get angry with him anymore.
Back to this video link however. What disturbs me is the assumption of attack by Australians and the condoning of violence against anyone who aligns with this thinking. We are Australian and we are better than that...I hope. Otherwise we may be just as bad as the people of the Westboro Baptist Church.
Remember the words of Jesus to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. These are the actions I would hope we as Australians would aspire to over violence and revenge. Let's have a conversation about what that kind of love and compassion look like rather than ways in which we can hurt people who enrage us with their views and opinions.
Check the video and if you really want to see what the Westboro Baptist Church are saying you don't have to look far to find out.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Postcard from Rod Laver Arena
Verity and I were in Melbourne when it was decided that a memorial service would be held in the Rod Laver Arena to honour the people affected by the bushfires in Victoria. We decided, since we were in town we may as well go down to the general area and see if we might be able to get in and be part of the service. The media had hyped it up so much expecting more than 100,000 people to turn out that we thought we'd be lucky to grab a spot near a screen outside the Arena. When we showed up about an hour and a half before the service people we're literally chasing us trying to give us tickets. It seems not as many turned out as were expected but that's understandable as many people from affected communities preferred to stay where they were and watch it on the big screens. Verity and I ended up sitting directly to the left of the stage inside the Arena about 10 rows up - close to the action. It was the closest I've ever been to royalty or the Prime Minister.Now I'm not a royalist, I'm not even very patriotic but it was amazing to be in that Arena surrounded by the atmosphere that had been created. For instance, I've never been to see a live orchestra before. They were amazing! And the Australian anthem was spectacular! (now that's saying something coming from me) So there we sat with our yellow ribbon, little bell and the order of service. Symbols of our liturgy and memorial in this 'non-religious' service of remembrance where Aussies from everywhere (even a representative of the Queen) gathered to make meaning of their grief and helplessness.
I'm sure that by now most people have seen the service and if not you can find it on YouTube. So rather than give a commentary I just wanted to reflect on a couple of things I found meaningful in the service.
The welcome to country by Aunty Joy Murphy was more meaningful than maybe what many may have appreciated. A good reminder for us is that us Europeans who have taken this land and think we know how to manage it still have a lot to learn from our indigenous leaders about appropriate stewardship of the land. When she mentioned that for generations her people had managed the land with ceremonious burning every 7 years, I was heart broken to think of the wisdom we have neglected. The people of Israel had similar customs like resting the land where they rotated their crops, every 7 years, or forgiving debts every 7 years to ensure people weren't plunged into a cycle of poverty. This wisdom we have neglected is our demise. However she followed through by acknowledging that there was nothing good or ceremonious about what happened with these fires. 'The land was tortured', she said and we now bare the scars of the consequence. But hopefully we can also learn. We wish a tragic fire like this had never happened but all the ingredients were there, the heat, the fuel, the wind. Not much could have prevented such tragedy but will we now tune in to the words of the wise, those who have lived on and cared for this land for so many thousands of years. What can they teach us? Will we listen?
I was interested to see how the government would manage a non-religious service in such a spiritual environment. At times of grief the majority do look to spiritual guidance from various faith traditions. I found it interesting to note that out of 4 speakers representing religious reflections, 3 of them were Christian. I wonder if the organizers consulted inter-faith networks for a greater representation or is our government sending the message that we are dominantly a Christian country? We had no words of comfort from Muslims, Jews, Hindus or Buddhists. The sounding of the rams horn was powerful, a Jewish symbol of calling people to mourning and prayer.
As much as I resisted at the end (whether that's because I'm an Aussie male who feels the need to suppress feelings in public, or because I'm just a cynic when it comes to emotionally charged public gatherings) it was difficult to hold back tears. When Bruce Woodley and his daughter Clare began singing 'I am Australian' and the 2 Kinglake survivors Merelyn and David Carter came out to sing the new verses, you could just feel the emotional intensity rise up in the Arena and the people around you. People spontaneously jumped to their feet to stand in solidarity, and burst out in song as if this was the national anthem before they were invited to sing, it really was amazing. Then finishing with the song 'Touch', sung by Michael Paynter, everyone stood again, this time strangers were grabbing one anothers hands and putting their arms around each other. Vertiy grabbed my left hand while myself and the guy on my right resisted (it's a male thing) but you could tell we were edging subtly closer together so we were touching just so we weren't left out.
Verity outside Rod Laver in smokey Melbourne
It was an amazing day and atmosphere to be a part of. Verity and I headed straight for the train afterwards back up to the Dandenongs. We were meeting friends for lunch in Upwey. As we sat around the table on the deck eating and sharing about how Victoria make meaning of such tragedy we also lamented about the conditions that surrounded us in this dense Dandenong bush. Little did we know that the next day them and their neighbours would be evacuating from a fire in their very suburb. The past couple of days have continued to be a harsh reminder that even though the ceremony is over and the media has moved on to other stories, we mustn't be complacent about the danger that surrounds us. Maybe we can led some time to tuning in to the wisdom of those who have known our land for so long and give them the credit they deserve. Please teach us, our indigenous friends.Shalom Mark
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Smoke in the mirrors
Verity and I sat at Melbourne airport last night feeling very distracted and helpless as we waited for our plane to Adelaide and chaos broke out around our friends and previous home in the Dandenongs. We had been stay with friends in Lysterfield and spent the last couple of days with friends in Upwey so the chaos breaking out was close to home.
For our last day in Melbourne Verity really wanted to visit one of her favorite places for lunch - Olinda. We knew it was a high fire danger day so we ensured we were tuned into ABC radio for updates. We could not believe that the places we saw covered in snow only 5 months ago were now crispy dry ferns and half dead trees amongst a dense forest of struggling life, scorched by the extreme heat Melbourne has endured this summer. I remember saying to Verity how nervous I was when we drove up through the unsealed roads of Upwey to visit friends on Sunday. We lamented with our friends that day how much of a fire trap this was and what their evacuation plan was should they ever need it. They told us stories of close encounters on the Black Saturday as spot fires broke out around Belgrave and people scrambled to extinguish them.
I expressed my nerves to Verity once again as we drove to the lookout at the arboretum in Olinda that looked out over the Yarra Valley. We didn't stay long as we could well and truly see the fires still burning out on the other side of the valley. At around 2:20 we made our way down the Mt Dandenong tourist road to the lights waiting to enter Burwood Hwy at the boarder of Upwey and Upper Ferntree Gully when we heard that noise that all hills and bush residents tread and fear - the CFA sirens were wailing loud and clear.
We drove past the Upper Gully CFA to see 3 trucks waiting for crews and as we drove further down the highway CFA trucks pulled out in front of us as they raced to the affected area. We got down to the Ferntree Gully/Stud Rd intersection as we headed towards the city and there in the mirrors i could see the smoke. It's terrifying to see how fast in billowed into the sky and how close we were to it. We were on our way to Chadstone shopping centre and continued in that direction as we listened intently to the ABC waiting for them to acknowledge the fire. At 3pm they confirmed that on the opposite side of Upwey to where we were, a grass and scrub fire burned out of control. We arrived at Chadstone just after 3pm and the plumes of smoke were large and very obvious. We contacted friends in Upwey and Lysterfield to let them know about the alert issued to residents. They weren't aware of what was going on but luckily were able to action their fire plans.
While Verity went for a wander around the shops, i couldn't disengage, I couldn't relax as i realized what we had just driven away from. I kept tuning into the ABC reports and heard that a house had been lost and 2 CFA trucks burnt injuring 3 firefighters and i began to acknowledge what many Victorians must have been feeling this past couples of weeks - the total and utter sense of helplessness.
Reports were coming through the radio of the chaos that surrounded the reaction to the fire as residents evacuated. Confused and disoriented people had car accidents and were running red lights just to get off the mountain. People raced down that stretch of Burwood Hwy Verity and I know well from Upwey to Upper Gully they called 'the mad mile'. Then we began to hear that the community we once called home was being turned into a refuge with relief centres set up in Ferntree Fully, Knox and Kilsyth.
We drove up towards the Eastern Freeway to escape the chaos of the traffic trying to get from the city to the SE suburbs as people raced towards homes surrounded by smoke. As we headed up around the north of the city of Melbourne, the wind changed direction and the smoke began to blow our way. It was a reminder of what and who we were leaving behind. We were flying back west as many of our friends were caught up in the chaos and we had no idea how bad it would get. One of the announcers on ABC radio summed up our feelings well when he reflected on his own. He acknowledged that here he was in a studio in the city, while once again on a high fire danger day in Melbourne's 3 weeks of fire tragedy, people scrambled to battle and escape new fire outbreaks. He described his state of being as helpless.
What heightened the anxiety was the fire outbreaks in Dalesford and Warbuton and we wondered if this tragedy that had impacted Australia so much would unfold again. Thankfully new learning's had been actioned, conditions were not as bad and firefighters were working diligently. Yet that still doesn't suppress the feeling of helplessness for most who watch on, wait, and wonder what the outcome will be.
we continue to think of those affected by the fires in Victoria. Verity and I think of our friends who came way too close this time. we think of the people who lost their home in that fire yesterday and the firefighters injured trying to save others. We also think of that one person who yesterday lost their life in hospital due to extensive injuries received in the Black Saturday fires. It may have just been a number that clocked over from 209 to 210 in many reports but it was a valued human life just like the others who were lost.
We continue to think of Victoria as many fires still burn out of control as they head towards another extreme fire danger day on Friday. We are also aware of a heightened awareness and anxiety here in the Adelaide hills as we brace for similar conditions. may we all be aware of one another as we see out this fire season. May we be aware of the heightened sense of helplessness, grief and anger. May we have patience with each other and be gracious towards one another. And may God's comfort and love embrace all who are affected in anyway.
Shalom
Mark
For our last day in Melbourne Verity really wanted to visit one of her favorite places for lunch - Olinda. We knew it was a high fire danger day so we ensured we were tuned into ABC radio for updates. We could not believe that the places we saw covered in snow only 5 months ago were now crispy dry ferns and half dead trees amongst a dense forest of struggling life, scorched by the extreme heat Melbourne has endured this summer. I remember saying to Verity how nervous I was when we drove up through the unsealed roads of Upwey to visit friends on Sunday. We lamented with our friends that day how much of a fire trap this was and what their evacuation plan was should they ever need it. They told us stories of close encounters on the Black Saturday as spot fires broke out around Belgrave and people scrambled to extinguish them.
I expressed my nerves to Verity once again as we drove to the lookout at the arboretum in Olinda that looked out over the Yarra Valley. We didn't stay long as we could well and truly see the fires still burning out on the other side of the valley. At around 2:20 we made our way down the Mt Dandenong tourist road to the lights waiting to enter Burwood Hwy at the boarder of Upwey and Upper Ferntree Gully when we heard that noise that all hills and bush residents tread and fear - the CFA sirens were wailing loud and clear.
We drove past the Upper Gully CFA to see 3 trucks waiting for crews and as we drove further down the highway CFA trucks pulled out in front of us as they raced to the affected area. We got down to the Ferntree Gully/Stud Rd intersection as we headed towards the city and there in the mirrors i could see the smoke. It's terrifying to see how fast in billowed into the sky and how close we were to it. We were on our way to Chadstone shopping centre and continued in that direction as we listened intently to the ABC waiting for them to acknowledge the fire. At 3pm they confirmed that on the opposite side of Upwey to where we were, a grass and scrub fire burned out of control. We arrived at Chadstone just after 3pm and the plumes of smoke were large and very obvious. We contacted friends in Upwey and Lysterfield to let them know about the alert issued to residents. They weren't aware of what was going on but luckily were able to action their fire plans.
While Verity went for a wander around the shops, i couldn't disengage, I couldn't relax as i realized what we had just driven away from. I kept tuning into the ABC reports and heard that a house had been lost and 2 CFA trucks burnt injuring 3 firefighters and i began to acknowledge what many Victorians must have been feeling this past couples of weeks - the total and utter sense of helplessness.
Reports were coming through the radio of the chaos that surrounded the reaction to the fire as residents evacuated. Confused and disoriented people had car accidents and were running red lights just to get off the mountain. People raced down that stretch of Burwood Hwy Verity and I know well from Upwey to Upper Gully they called 'the mad mile'. Then we began to hear that the community we once called home was being turned into a refuge with relief centres set up in Ferntree Fully, Knox and Kilsyth.
We drove up towards the Eastern Freeway to escape the chaos of the traffic trying to get from the city to the SE suburbs as people raced towards homes surrounded by smoke. As we headed up around the north of the city of Melbourne, the wind changed direction and the smoke began to blow our way. It was a reminder of what and who we were leaving behind. We were flying back west as many of our friends were caught up in the chaos and we had no idea how bad it would get. One of the announcers on ABC radio summed up our feelings well when he reflected on his own. He acknowledged that here he was in a studio in the city, while once again on a high fire danger day in Melbourne's 3 weeks of fire tragedy, people scrambled to battle and escape new fire outbreaks. He described his state of being as helpless.
What heightened the anxiety was the fire outbreaks in Dalesford and Warbuton and we wondered if this tragedy that had impacted Australia so much would unfold again. Thankfully new learning's had been actioned, conditions were not as bad and firefighters were working diligently. Yet that still doesn't suppress the feeling of helplessness for most who watch on, wait, and wonder what the outcome will be.
we continue to think of those affected by the fires in Victoria. Verity and I think of our friends who came way too close this time. we think of the people who lost their home in that fire yesterday and the firefighters injured trying to save others. We also think of that one person who yesterday lost their life in hospital due to extensive injuries received in the Black Saturday fires. It may have just been a number that clocked over from 209 to 210 in many reports but it was a valued human life just like the others who were lost.
We continue to think of Victoria as many fires still burn out of control as they head towards another extreme fire danger day on Friday. We are also aware of a heightened awareness and anxiety here in the Adelaide hills as we brace for similar conditions. may we all be aware of one another as we see out this fire season. May we be aware of the heightened sense of helplessness, grief and anger. May we have patience with each other and be gracious towards one another. And may God's comfort and love embrace all who are affected in anyway.
Shalom
Mark
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Foolish Compassion
As everyone is well aware by now, the man charged with arson over the Churchhill fire is probably the most disliked person in Victoria. Here is yet another example of poor journalism, the court has ordered his identity be protected yet the media in all their wisdom pretty much hand him to the public on a silver platter guiding them to sites like facebook and myspace where his picture and details are in full view.
Greg Barnes who is a human rights lawyer has criticized the media saying not only have they hurt his opportunity of getting a fair trial and possibly destroying the investigation all together but he has been horrified at how this tragedy has brought out the worst in Australians. He said with every tragedy you get to see the best and the worst in human nature. While the best has been seen, yes we are seeing the worst with the reaction to accused arsonists with hateful threats of violence and suggestions on how we should treat such people.
Well I have a suggestion, how about we treat such people with compassion? I don’t mean we ignore the actions or even that they shouldn’t face justice, but no amount of revenge or hate will reverse or the circumstances or satisfy hurt and anger. Revenge is not justice, it’s just another crime.
I suggest compassion because it was to choice of Jesus to act with compassion towards people. Sure Jesus got angry at circumstances but never did he seek revenge. He urged his followers to do outrageous things like love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. Jesus’ sermon on the mount is probably the most famous yet outrageous sermon recorded in his ministry. It’s a mission statement for his ministry and his suggested way of life. While a natural reaction to anger and feelings of injustice is to react and get even, the Jesus model is quite the opposite.
Christians are called to stand for far reaching love, outrageous grace and foolish compassion. It may not make sense but it is the only alternative to a world of people who still insist of solving problems with revenge attacks, violence and getting even. In all of human history these methods we insist on are yet to be fruitful and work. So as a Christian, a follower of Jesus I join the voice of many who have gone before me and ask that you tune in to the values of the kingdom of God try a method that takes patience and understanding.
True compassion comes from a changed heart, one moved with pity for a person who finds themselves in a tragic place, either by their own doing or through some other circumstance. Have compassion and let the justice system determine the punishment.
Shalom Mark
Greg Barnes who is a human rights lawyer has criticized the media saying not only have they hurt his opportunity of getting a fair trial and possibly destroying the investigation all together but he has been horrified at how this tragedy has brought out the worst in Australians. He said with every tragedy you get to see the best and the worst in human nature. While the best has been seen, yes we are seeing the worst with the reaction to accused arsonists with hateful threats of violence and suggestions on how we should treat such people.
Well I have a suggestion, how about we treat such people with compassion? I don’t mean we ignore the actions or even that they shouldn’t face justice, but no amount of revenge or hate will reverse or the circumstances or satisfy hurt and anger. Revenge is not justice, it’s just another crime.
I suggest compassion because it was to choice of Jesus to act with compassion towards people. Sure Jesus got angry at circumstances but never did he seek revenge. He urged his followers to do outrageous things like love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. Jesus’ sermon on the mount is probably the most famous yet outrageous sermon recorded in his ministry. It’s a mission statement for his ministry and his suggested way of life. While a natural reaction to anger and feelings of injustice is to react and get even, the Jesus model is quite the opposite.
Christians are called to stand for far reaching love, outrageous grace and foolish compassion. It may not make sense but it is the only alternative to a world of people who still insist of solving problems with revenge attacks, violence and getting even. In all of human history these methods we insist on are yet to be fruitful and work. So as a Christian, a follower of Jesus I join the voice of many who have gone before me and ask that you tune in to the values of the kingdom of God try a method that takes patience and understanding.
True compassion comes from a changed heart, one moved with pity for a person who finds themselves in a tragic place, either by their own doing or through some other circumstance. Have compassion and let the justice system determine the punishment.
Shalom Mark
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
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
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