Why does Yahoo News have to show the pain of Utah coal miner's families?

Question

Yahoo News is showing a picture of 10 year old girl obviously in deep stress and anguish over the deaths and uncertainties of the coal mine rescue efforts in Utah. I think we are all hoping for good news and want to keep up to date on events, but we don't need to see pictures like this. Why does Yahoo - and other media groups - insist on showing the personal pain of these family members and others when such tragedies strike? I

Thanks Soccer Mom for clarifying that her father made it out OK. I did read the article, and I know her father is safe. In a small mining town like that, she will know the men who died as well as those who are still trapped, as well as their families. Like another post said, I bet she wishes this whole story didn't happen and the cameras would go away.

Answer 1

Sensationalism. You are right, the news groups have no business showing close-ups of a little girl's pain like that.

The article says her father made it out OK, but that's not the point. I'm sure she knows the brave rescuers who sacrificed their lives and the men who are still trapped. She wishes this event had never happened and the cameras would go away.

We are all hopeful that there is a happy ending to stories of human suffering such as the Utah story, but we don't need to add identifiable faces of the victims. Shame on the photographers, and shame on the editors who choose to publish these photos .

Answer 2

If showing her face to the world will force the average American to demand answers to make sure that it doesn't happen again then show her face. Why was the mine allowed to operate even though there were major safety concerns? Why were there no tracking devices on the miners so that they could at least know where they were located in the mine? The owner was a big contributor to political parties and pushed against reform at every opportunity. Former miners have stated that if they complained they were fired. That one face just might be the one that stays in the mind of American when they would rather look the other way and say well the miner knew the risk. Yes they did but it would be irresponsible for us to allow owners of unsafe working places to continue as before. Sago forced changes in the way miners work in the eastern part of the country. Do you think those changes would have taken place if it was a one day news item. I would rather see her face because it should means something to all workers in this country. I don't know if this was a union mine. At one time unions meant more safe working conditions. Unfortunately unions now mean job security for the lazy worker.

Answer 3

If it bleeds it leads. It sucks but it's true. People love to learn of death and suffering. It fascinates them. Showing a girl crying is just part of the media giving attention to an issue that really does not deserve national attention. How is showing that picture any different than being fixated on the whole story in general? It's a tragedy that doesn't warrant our voyeuristic attention.

Answer 4

That 10 year old girls dad made it out ok. He was a member of the rescue team. Those were tears of joy.

People - read the article. Her dad didnt die.

EDIT:
Why do you people keep commenting on a myth.
For the last time, that girls dad wasnt one of the miners killed.
She had just found out he had made it out ok.
You all are being just as bad as the news.

EDIT!
FOR THE LAST TIME, THAT GIRLS DAD WASNT ONE OF THE MINERS KILLED. Tears of joy people - thats what its called. She had just found out that her father was alive and ok. If you would read the caption along with the picture you would know this.
Does anyone bother to READ anything around here?

Answer 5

eating coal. eating urine. nicely....i could could desire to offer the individuals a extra advantageous hazard via understanding adequate to not consume coal, yet via now we could understand that they have got not survived. the place did you get that wee tid-little bit of information? The national famous person? Globe? a sort of rags on the checkout counter that talk correct to the "Clay-Boy From Outer area, who's mom replaced into Iggy Pop?" Dude. once you're extreme....you are the style of people who we could desire to worry. lack of understanding isn't bliss. it fairly is extremely risky, and you're contributing to problems in this worldwide as against recommendations. once you're merely joking, or below the impact of alcohol.....ok....yet, Dude. Get a grip. of direction....The "coal and urine" nutritional plan could become the messiah of well being plans. i'm no expert. Nad

Answer 6

Yahoo does not care if they show sad and depressed people on their home news page. Driving the news just to get hits and ratings is a distorted way of getting attention.

Answer 7

Because that's what sells and makes ratings go up. Sad, I know. But how many people would honestly click on that story if they didn't see a picture of a girl crying?

Answer 8

It is news. You can choose to look the other way
But T V had it on the moment it occurred on 8-16
Sorry, but that is the current state of current affairs.
Remember the OJ chase on TV one friday night

Answer 9

Here's a better question....why are we so focused on 7 dead miners who died doing there job....a job in which they knew there were risks..

I think its sad how we pay so much attention to these guys while all over the world there are people in much worse shape...500 people dead and 1000 or more missing in peru and nobody even pays attention because they aren't "americans"....its all just sick american hype that the media is using to draw in viewers which in turn helps them boost their advertising dollars.


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Answer 10

Yeah, I saw that. It actually made me mad when I saw that.

It is sad to know that the media in this country cares more about popularity, ratings, and viewers than they do about the state of emotion the person they are reporting on.