Factual reporting with nonviolent images, to include comparisons with natural disasters is among the requirements people would like to see for media reporting on terrorist attacks. This is what Epoch Times reporters from Colombia to Pakistan discovered when they asked locals: “Do you think media should report on terrorist attacks?”
Suceava, Romania
Anca Ciubotaru, 28, Computer Engineer
The problem is that almost all media reports mostly on bad things, and they put a lot of accent on them; consequently, all that people can see is this. I think media should report on terrorist attacks, but not to put a lot of accent on it. If bad things like terrorist attacks happen, you can’t just ignore them, but in general, media should promote good things.
Islamabad, Pakistan
Shakeel Hashmi, 43, Rescue Operator
The media should give the public the information about when and where the attacks occurred, but not show them graphic images or repeatedly carry the same story. Showing people violent images and endless details creates fear and paranoia. This way, the terrorists have their aim met. I have experienced times when I sit and watch the news for hours, and then feel my stress level goes up and feel there is a war raging outside; but when I go out, it is business as usual, and nothing is out of the ordinary. I think other people must have also experienced this thing.
Medellín, Colombia
Lilibeth Ramírez Rodríguez, 39, Business Administrator
Our press here in Colombia is very sensationalistic, if we publish terrorist events they should be more like on an informative level, but not showing how bloodthirsty they really are, but obviously informing us. When the press is very sensationalistic what it generates is a level of terror in the population. I consider that it is inappropriate to show it in this manner. Generally terrorism reflects the inequality in a country, because everyone is fighting for an ideal or position in front of what is thought of a country’s government. It would be important to show what it teaches.
Santiago, Chile
Pablo Maturana, 27, Commercial Engineer
Yes, I believe media should cover these kinds of attacks, but in a correct way, giving it a just coverage, and comparing it with other events. For instance, the number of people victim to a terrorist attack versus the number of people victim to a natural disaster, in a similar time frame. I say this, since many times, the information related to attacks seems exaggerated. Media should be more independent, objective, and anticipate the impact they cause with this kind of news. News in itself would be how spreading the news on terrorist attacks is misused by media.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Štefan Bindics, 26, University Student
It shouldn’t be mentioned in the newspapers or in other media, for that matter. People will be scared of it. It has a bad influence on the youth.
Queens, New York, United States
Andrew Krebs-Smith, 25, Marketing Company Owner
Yes, to a point. It depends on why they’re covering it. If it is just sensationalism, no. If they are covering it because it is important to what is going on in the country, yes.
Wellington, New Zealand
Joe Dimattina, 22, Chef
Yea, I mean it’s always good for us to know these things whether it’s here in New Zealand or somewhere overseas. It gives us an idea of what people are doing and their mindset of how they’re thinking; and it also gives us an idea of how secure we should be with security measures. That’s the whole point of media, if there is a big story. … Newspapers aren’t there to make a loss they make money, so the more newspapers you sell the more media you sell or advertising. … If they weren’t there then would the public know about this sort of stuff?
Trebic, Czech Republic
Bohumil Lavicky, 69, Retired
For sure, media should report it. When people know about it, they can do something about it. And if they know nothing and the terrorists strike, then it'll be bad. Chaos will arise. If people know nothing as it was in Madrid, what would that be like? People are more afraid then.
Lima, Perú
Nelson Cornejo, 50, Administrator
Yes, I agree that the mass media gives us the opportunity to know these types of situations; thus we, the citizens, could know these criminal facts that were attempts against the integrity of the people.
Zaragoza, Spain
Mariano Fernandez, 52, Retired
I think everybody must receive this information, but real information and not only the information that terrorists are interested in. If we get to that point, we would be happier. As for other information, like about politics and so on, I think media work is okay.
Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “How do you react to everyday injustices?”
Friends Read Free