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nadine_mn

(3,702 posts) Sat Dec 15, 2012, 10:00 PM Dec 2012

Why do news programs have to "localize" tragedies?

Not sure if this is lounge material, but GD is too scary right now.

I was watching the news (here in MN) and our local news had to stress the "Minnesota connection" to the tragedy. They do this with every single news event and I know its not just here in MN. Today it was someone had close ties to one of the victims' families in CT.

I find these stretches to localize the tragedy insulting - like people here in Minnesota can't possibly feel horrible about what happened unless we can somehow find out how it effects Minnesotans. It's the same on the 9/11 anniversary - trying to find someone who was related to a victim to get their reaction to the anniversary.

I am not a parent nor do I know anyone who lost a child in Newtown - but I am a human being and I am deeply saddened and my heart goes out to the families and the victims.

Sorry - just probably emotionally overloaded with how tragic and how preventable this could have been and the evening news was just the last straw for me.

4 replies

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Why do news programs have to "localize" tragedies? (Original Post) nadine_mn Dec 2012 OP

Studies have shown that physical distance ManiacJoe Dec 2012 #1

The Pittsburgh news market is *terrible* about this Orrex Dec 2012 #2

UK papers are already running with the British victim HipChick Dec 2012 #3

The National Lampoon did a newspaper parody years ago that mentioned this kind of thing LiberalEsto Dec 2012 #4

ManiacJoe

(10,136 posts)

1. Studies have shown that physical distance

Reply to nadine_mn (Original post)

Sat Dec 15, 2012, 10:48 PM

Dec 2012

influences how much people care about the event. The bigger the distance, the less we care. By tying the event to something local, your neighbors will care more and be more interested. At least that is the theory.

Orrex

(63,216 posts)

2. The Pittsburgh news market is *terrible* about this

Reply to nadine_mn (Original post)

Sun Dec 16, 2012, 01:27 AM

Dec 2012

I can't point to a specific case of it, but if a meteor wiped out all of Australia, the Pittsburgh channels would run a report on the two local kids who were spending Spring Break down under. It's embarrassing and sickening.

HipChick

(25,485 posts)

3. UK papers are already running with the British victim

Reply to nadine_mn (Original post)

Sun Dec 16, 2012, 01:42 AM

Dec 2012

Normally when these events happen, we usually say only in America...not so true anymore

LiberalEsto

(22,845 posts)

4. The National Lampoon did a newspaper parody years ago that mentioned this kind of thing

Reply to nadine_mn (Original post)

Sun Dec 16, 2012, 03:14 PM

Dec 2012

One of the main headlines on the front page of the Dacron (OH) Republican-Democrat said
"Two Dacron Women Feared Missing in Volcanic Disaster"

Under the headline, in smaller type, were the words "Japan destroyed."

http://www.overstock.com/Books-Movies-Music-Games/National-Lampoon-Sunday-Newspaper-Parody/1040319/product.html

Having worked for newspapers both large and small for more than 25 years, I've got to agree with you. I can't count how many good news stories I had to drop because there was no local angle.

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