Is the media right to put people down so much and be so pessimistic?

Question

A television presenter recently passed comment that he thought the media in this country are too quick to put people down and be pessimistic in their approach. This in my opinion is wrong and gives an unfair outlook on life in general. I know that the world isn't a particularly nice place, but if that's all we see in the media then isn't that counter-productive? Our country needs to be great again. I know that there are plenty of people out there who will say that 'What is it that makes Great Britain so great?' They are the sort of people who read the papers and are brought down by such rubbish that is published on a daily basis. Opinions please.

Answer 1

Although I had a little trouble with your wording, I think that I agree with both you and the presenter. The media is far too pessimistic, sensation-seeking and biased to give a fair view of life in this country or even what most people are thinking.

The problem is that it is the media which often guides many people to think the way they do, so it is relatively easy to get into a feedback loop on some issues. I find it hard to know, for example, whether (at the time Blair was about to follow Bush into Iraq) it was actually the media which generated the 60%+ opposition to us going in. I feel it would have been all too easy (with a little money in the right places, perhaps) for the media to have generated the opposite feeling, as I suspect happened in the US.

Answer 2

I think the "Big-time Media" anyway, especially recently goes for what holds the viewer, and unfortunately that's the "impending doom" stories! They have to keep you hooked to be sure you are still tuned in when they commercial for Ford comes on. I don't really know what the "right" answer is. The people have a right to know what's going on that's bad, but it would help our country as a whole not to have the "impending doom" stories shoved in our face all the time!! I mean, granted the world's not the greatest place, but the hyped media on these different issues make it out to be so horrible your kid can't walk down the street. Where common knowledge tells you, that most people in your neighborhood are not kidnappers or rapists. Unfortunately, it's driving a wedge of fear and mistrust between everyone!

Answer 3

I've noticed in this country the media are really quick to build someone up - only to knock them down at the slightest chance.
England win the Ashes - heroes, MBEs all round. You'd have thought they had saved the UK from a terrorist attack! Now they're going through a rough patch and the media is calling them has-beens.
David Beckham, Wayne Rooney - just other examples
But these newspapers sell - so isn't this an indictment on our society?

Answer 4

l draw a contrast between local news on the television and the international news, one concerned with the major events and full of gravity, the other covering less important global concerns but no less important to the local people...in fact in some cases more relevant and dangerous,if you have these two types of broadcast in your neck of the woods then while next viewng ask the question 'which carries more weight in your mind' my own thought is, which may well be wrong btw.. is that the more gravity a story is given the more we take notice, thus the apparent pessimistic style of reporting, is more evident.

Answer 5

The media used to consider the public good their first concern. Now it is strictly cash and carry.

Answer 6

Here's an idea. Don't read the rags! Then you'll never have to bother about which celebrity is doing what in their sad, little, empty lives.

I know nothing about celebrities and I like it that way!

Answer 7

If we keep giving them the ratings that they need, then they have the right to do whatever they want. It's up to us.

Answer 8

the media is DEFINITLY pessimistic. They should be more optimistic and positive