Many people live in a world that is governed by sensationalism. Why is it so easy for people to accept what’s given to them? It could be because of ignorance. Not enough information is given to allow them to make their own decisions, or they choose, for whatever reason, to live in their own bubble.
Sometimes it’s pressure, where people go with the majority and do not believe they have the power to go against the flow. But, more deadly, we are human: emotions become our flaw and they take years to control.
But we don’t have to fall under the spell of hyperbolized headlines. When outlets report on events, it’s because the topic of discussion is not a rumor, but a subject that is newsworthy to the consumers. While this may be the journalistic ideal, there is no doubt that some media outlets will provide skewed coverage.
It is also the public’s responsibility to question what they hear, see and read. Like America Ferrera said a recent Open Visions Forum, people should get out there, get involved, and constantly ask questions.
It is equally important –if not more — for the journalists to gain the trust of their readership. This creates a relationship where the truth is reported and the consumers are confident in what they are receiving.
The coverage in this paper two weeks ago was based on official information provided by law enforcement. As more information is pressed for, we get closer to answering questions for our consumers. When people jump to conclusions, steal our papers from the stands and throw them away or wrongly accuse our staff of poor reporting, the relationship that is necessary for the truth to find its way to the surface is injured.
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