Public Panic Induced by the Media
I talked to a friend the other day hoping to reminsce and plan a weekend together in the fall, but my friend evidently had other thoughts. Like the World Health Organization’s “pandemic” alert of the swine flu or H1N1 vaccinations for everyone because 1.500 people worldwide had died from this virus. The source of my friend’s information? YouTube – yes, news on YouTube spreads like a child in kindergarten with Chicken Pox.
The reality of this media induced panic? The most recent article statistics I found were from June 11, 2009 from MSNBC and most of the panic was harboring in small Asian countries. Yes, a few schools in the U.S. did close because a student became infected, as is the course when an infectious disease or virus has the potential to reach many people.
Another recent article, from Vancouver, B.C., indicates that there has only been 1,100 deaths worldwide and that a pandemic issue may be immenient. Hmm. Also, people cannot contract the swine flu by eating properly prepared pork products either.
Exactly where did my friend generate these false facts which provoked such a panic? The conversation was just too stress induced for me to listen as my friend demanded who has the right to determine when a pandemic should be issued and under what conditions?
The media is known to induce panic as well as constant negative messages toward its viewers – online, TV and radio – it’s just not necessary for us to endure such worry and anger by these messages.
What are your thoughts about the media causing undue panic in its viewers? Should viewers openly voice their opinions to such broadcast stations? Senators and other government officials? Or should we all just chill out and tune it out?
