The horrors unfurling in Aleppo have revealed to us two things: the lowest bane of humanity and the media’s role as Entertainer and/or Distractor. Amid the mass genocide occurring in a city that is only 70 square miles, there has been uproar over the headlines that have instead been at the forefront. “Kanye West meets with Donald Trump at Trump Tower” was a widely criticized headline, due to the shocking nature of what was dually occurring on the other side of the hemisphere.
*GENOCIDE taking place in #Aleppo suicides,rapes, & slaughter style executions.*
media: “oohh Donald Trump and Kanye at Trump Towers!”
— Falisha???? (@_falisha_) December 13, 2016
Witness accounts of suicides, rapes, and mass genocide contrasted with the media’s focus upon Kanye’s meeting with Trump, the life of celebrity Alan Thicke, and the hottest new Christmas deals. As much as this angered people, in reality, this juxtaposition and sensationalism of information occurs almost everyday. Our mainstream news outlets are plastered with stories of sex, drugs, scandals, and violence; while worldwide stories of human suffering and crimes against humanity are pushed away.
This begs a key question: is this culture of sensationalism cultivated by news outlets’ indifference and profit-driven mindset? Or rather is it our, the audience’s, failure to hold mainstream media accountable for responsible journalism?
It’s a question that branches off to a plethora of perspectives and different avenues of answers. Ultimately, mainstream news outlets receive revenue upon the amount of attention they are able to attract; and time and time again celebrity coverage and entertainment stories have proven to garner the most success. As a result, they give up their role as Informant in exchange for that of Gossiper.
It’s a frustrating phenomenon, but we as an audience must be aware of this role reversal and understand the motives behind it. We must actively seek out and support coverage that matters such as Aleppo, the 20-month war ongoing in Yemen, or the villages being burned in Myanmar.
Although these stories are not the most sensational, they are the stories that matter. These are the stories that will define our chapter in mankind and be reflected upon as part of our history; not what Kim Kardashian wore today or what Netflix show is currently trending. Moving towards the future, more independent news sources such as The Young Turks on YouTube, and various other podcasts, easily accessible with our advancement of smart phones, hold insight into the future of news reporting.
We are starting to understand that, in this global age, we desire more from our news, as we desire more from ourselves. We desire to take action and see what needs to be seen.
