Email

For as long as there have been ad men on Madison Avenue (and before that), one thing has been abundantly clear: fear sells. Few industries grasp this notion better than the news industry. News crews around the globe chase fear hoping to sell more newspapers, gain more viewers, and entice (an otherwise bored) audience. Tornado coverage is not immune to this lay of the advertising law.

The recent tornado in Joplin, Missouri, caused alarm all across the nation. People who live far away from Joplin were glued to television sets anticipating more news, photos, and information about the storm. These figures were easily provided by GPS tracking technology that can accurately track a storm down to the last terrible detail.

As those from around the world watched, people who were directly impacted by the storm relived tornado nightmares. Incredibly detailed photographs picked up bits of clothing and abandoned pets while amateur videographers took cell phone videos that were later uploaded to YouTube.

In a world driven by speed, instant gratification, and news carriers such as Twitter, nothing seems private any longer. For some, seeing details of storms that wrecked families and whole towns is simply too much. Technology can be used for the greater good, but when is going too far simple, well, going too far?

For many, news crews should report the news, though in the case of any natural disaster, there’s no need to further increase fear by televising and printing horrid images. Facing the loss of loved ones is fear enough for those impacted.

Article Written by Harriette Halepis