Philippine Desperation and Media Scrutiny

The world media has descended on the Philippines to record the misery of the islanders after the destructive storm of the weekend. While it is right that we should know of a tragedy affecting thousands of people who are homeless and hungry, it must seem almost offensive to those who suffer to see well fed journalists and film crews driving around their lost cities, observing and commenting like naturalists watching the activities of an ant colony that has been dispossessed. I wonder how many of them give up their food and water to starving, thirsty Philippinos who have lost everything? At a time when the most powerful typhoon ever known has destroyed much of a country and the key priority is send co-ordinated aid where it is needed, it seems sensible and considerate for media representation to be both minimal and discreet, and for visitors to the Philippines be only those people who can do something to help, not act as vicarious voyeurs. I know the reporters are doing their job in informing their audience, but the media circus which sets up tent whenever there is a crisis somewhere in the world feels unseemly and a little distasteful, an intrusion into something very personal, whether it is a murdered child or a dramatic natural disaster. Each time suffering people are the target of attention, but all they want is help, not the publicity intended, often, to improve audience ratings. [caption id="attachment_2187" align="alignright" width="150"] The Philippines[/caption] Like you, perhaps, I am grateful to be informed but do not need the quantity of news coverage I am given night and day through the news channels about the plight of the Philippines. Yes, it is a desperate situation and deserving of worldwide attention and the help of us all, but often the coverage is unbalanced for the sake of drama and at the expense of compassion: it should not be this way. Media scrutiny can be un-ostentatious and thoughtful, but so often fails to be so, which is such a pity when, as in the Philippines today, the paramount need is care at every level.   [byline]]]>