Why is it that tragedies such as that of Virginia Tech in the Us get so much media attention?

Question

Why do they get more attention than tragedies occuring in other parts of the world often with a larger scale of casualties?
Why is it that the world is mourning the deaths of 32 in Us but forgets to sympathize with the 172 that died just yesterday in Iraq?
Why is it that we want to understand and determine the facts and motives behind the cold blooded assassinations of monday but fail to do so with the 7/7 bombings?
Why is it that an American life is considered more precious than an Iraqi one?
Why is it that after an event such as that of 9/11 and 7/7 many muslims are arrested and illegaly detained without any sensible reason, but that same process is not repeated with any South Korean living in America or any other part of the World?
Why have these double standards been always visible in the Us Foreign policy?
Why?...Why?....Why?

Answer 1

cmon...is this a serious question? Sex and violence sells. the liberal biased media could care less about ethics..its selling more commercials.

Answer 2

You'd be surprised at how many others share your questions. Yes why exactly?!!! I guess I am answering your question with the same question. I have NO idea of the answer, but wanted to acknowledge your question because it is valid and a very good one to ask. i am not in favor of the war in Iraq and often wonder "who are the real terrorists?". Many questions over 9.11 also, some EXTREMELY concerning possiblities on that one also.

I watched the DVD "fareinheight 9.11" with Michael Moore and I was pretty blown away by it. I'd suggest that for anybody to watch.

Americans for reasons I do not understand, tend to get the most coverage for anything that happens to them. For the rest of the world? It's barely worth a mention and if ever it is? It doesn't last long. Many people I know mention this also and scratch our heads over it. I have to tune in to the BBC to find out what's going on in other areas of the world which is an ongoing major tragedy, an absolute shocker. America? You can't help BUT find out, it's everywhere and goes on for a long time.

Why exactly. Im glad you posed this question, because I for one am just as bewildered. I'm not saying this recent school tragedy should not be an issue, or the 9.11, it's horrific, but SO ARE THE TRAGEDIES ELSEWHERE and on a far larger scale, ones that are going on nearly all the time.

If America were the ones with the war on their soil, it would be another story. The rest of the world should be getting even coverage of all these world tragedies, but we don't. America is always front page stuff. THe rest of the world, just does not quite make it, unless it's a Tsunami of cataclismic proportions.

Answer 3

I'm assuming you live in the US because I would think that's why it is airing so much. If you live in another country then I really couldn't tell you. But I think something like this is such a horrible tragedy that the US news channels really focus on it because its something that was completely unexpected. Its in our own back yard. I completely agree with you on the Iraq thing though. You would think the news would go into the situation in Iraq more. Especially since so many of our men and women are over there. As for detaining Muslims illegally the only thing I can think of is on 9-11 a group of al-queda hit us. There must have been planning for months, if not years, in that attack. So now our government is trying to find any terrorists left in America to prevent something else from happening. Is it right? I don't think so. But I do think they need to protect us. But they aren't doing anything about the South Koreans because it was one crazy guy who did this. Not a huge group. Cho got the idea that everyone was against him and decided to kill 32 people to get even. It was his doing and his alone. He could have been white, black Muslim, Native American.... anything, but it still would have been one person.

Answer 4

I'm not a US citizen and even in my country, we hear anything and everything that happens to AMerica, but other countries? Forget it! I have to hunt down that information if I want to find out. I now watch BBC news or other news to find out what's going on in the rest of the world, otherwise I'd not realise the ongoing worse tragedies that go on in other countries all the time. It's a real surprise to hear what the rest of the world suffers.

America is like the world's stage. We will always see any tragedy that happens there and it will be prolonged for as long as humanly possible and will really never die from one year to the next. Other areas? You'll be lucky if it's mentioned, let alone remembered.

I have an american friend who is this way. When anything happens to his country or on his soil, he won't shut up about it. I'll receive ongoing emails. And that's fine, if it's a shock and a tragedy, understandable. But, If I mention a thing about another country and an event that is far worse and email him about it, he's not interested, not even remotely. A huge disaster and he'll barely say a thing.

yet my GOD, if Dolly Parton broke her collar bone? I'd never hear the end of it.

Answer 5

Wow. A truly original thought-provoking question whose like I haven't seen in over 10 minutes.

I must have time to digest this philosophical conundrum that you have so boldly presented us with.

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Ok, a little digested now so I would say first since the incident occurred in America, American media is naturally going to cover it. Why other media from other countries is covering it is a question you should ask them. It only makes sense that american media would cover American news events that occur in America. You don't need to be Einstein to figure that out.

Second since this was an unexpectant tragedy out of the blue unlike the ongoing tragedy in Iraq naturally it would get more notice.

Third since it did not occur in a war zone but at a university naturally it would get more attention.

Fourth what does US Foriegn Policy have to do with media coverage of VT? Your illogical statement exposes your grudge thus displaying that you are simply using this tragedy to air your bitter feelings

Fifth this question has been asked several times already

Answer 6

i could not agree extra. what's worse are the folk who finished heartedly will argue teeth and nail adversarial on your question because it variety of feels unsympathetic. in undeniable truth that the overall public of people are gobbling up the tremendous heaping plate of BS that the media is feeding them and are inquiring for further! The media pampers to what human beings watch maximum. the in basic terms way the american public will watch something is that if it seems cinematic. It might want to be sensationalized to the bright. "it truly is the worst component to ensue in a lengthy time period!" human beings do not desire to take heed to about it except it seems melodramatic. No, it truly is no longer. What it truly is, despite the indisputable fact that, is the perfect component to ensue for the MEDIA in a lengthy time period. It makes me desire to toss my television, radio, and pc proper out of the window. the position is the genuine information? Did the conflict in Iraq stop? Afghanistan? Debates on abortion? Alberto Gonzales?

Answer 7

Ask yourself that same question.

Why do you watch it and not participate in your own community, or do something else, besides watch TV or participate in Current Events?

I am not here to pass judgement. I enjoy the argument/conversation. That is what I like to do.
I hold no grudges for your actions or comments.

I do find that more is done when one submits their minds and thoughts to something they can work on as an individual and not necessarily for the benifit of socieity, but it does become that.
Too much we try to cure society, when the best thing we can do is to contribute to society in our own small way.

Heck, take some time and build a huge domino thing. It will keep you busy, keep you entertained, keep you off the web, keep your mind occupied and when you put it on YouTube, we can all watch it and be entertained, then argue about the intracacies on Yahoo answers :)

Answer 8

I don't know the answers to many of your questions, but I agree that murderers should not get so much media attention. But they always do. When I read about the package the student sent to NBC, I thought to myself that I hope they never release any of the info- because it just glorifies the killer and "attracts" like-minds. But I'm sure they'll make a prime-time special out of it.

Answer 9

well for one thing their is a war happening in Iraq and part of war is people dying. Their was no war at Virginia tech.

Answer 10

Our media doesn't focus that much on the innocents murdered in Israel either. That should make you happy. In addition to all the other reasons you posted in another question, this makes you hate us as well? Enjoy your hatred.