Death of the Press, Kim Mannion

CURRENT THREADS

Death of the Press:  e mishandling of tragedy on the part of journalists, journalism and media outlets.

KIM MANNION

Thousands of job cuts at mainstream media outlets. Social media sites on which anyone can be their own broadcaster. A president of the USa who slurs ‘fake news’ at any reporter who might ask an uncomfortable question. Threats and challenge clearly loom over the journalism industry, and as a cornerstone of democracy, it is vital that we protect it. But what happens when it doesn’t protect itself? On August 12th, three people lost their lives in the tragic derailment of a train near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire. Rather than thoughts being with the families of the victims or the injured, #BoycottTheSun trended on Twitter after The Scottish Sun ran the ridiculously insensitive headline ‘Death Express’, next to which a picture of the train driver who perished in the disaster was printed. One newsagent in Stonehaven has already announced that it will cease to stock the red top. The paper’s editor, Alan Muir, has since apologised. Reporting tragedy in a responsible way is surely the least we can expect from our national media. Sadly, this does not always happen and there are notable examples of times when the press have rubbed salt in the wounds of victims rather than simply doing their job of reporting and informing on it. The Sun, for instance, is widely banned from being sold across Liverpool after its scandalous reporting of the Hillsborough disaster as it implied

blame on to the implicated football supporters. Attempting to understand why people choose to buy publications which thrive on scandal and drama rather than facts and quality reporting is unhelpful. Consumers have the right to choose any paper on the shelf. Blaming those who purchase them removes the responsibility of editorial decision-making from the publications themselves.

The relationship between reader and publication as one of a consumer and product is likely why editors feel the need to resort to scandal and dramatization. Tabloids focus more on profit rather than the traditional civic role of media

in a democracy which is one of public service.

The Sun or The Scottish Sun would probably likely categorise themselves as a newspaper which appeals to and is relatable to ‘ordinary people’. Most people would be able to fi nd in themselves some empathy from such a tragedy which meant that three people did not return home from what should have been an ordi

nary day – that could have been any one of us. There was no need for insensitive graphic reporting. Equally, many will understand the further pain that such a crass headline must have caused for the grieving families of the victims.

The public can see where a line has been crossed. Not all media has to be purely hard news, but news of serious subjects should not be produced for entertainment purposes. Even in our 21 st century world where everything exists for the enjoyment of the consumer, the journalist’s role in instances like these is not the entertainer.

The desensitisation debate is central to the

reporting of tragedy. Does the reader or viewer need to see spectacular images of warfare or gory images of human tragedy? Reporters who have witnessed it will want the world to

see the horrors in order to understand, but if we are exposed to constant tragic images, it is no longer shocking and people can be desensitised. Do the perpetrators, for example - terrorists, always deserve publicity for their cause? The details of many tragedies speak for themselves and do not need to be dramatized with

sensational headlines to attract readers. The

derailment of a train in the Britain of today would certainly come under this category.

Further polarisation between the public and the mainstream media should really be avoided if it wants to save itself. News can be consumed

in seconds via social media, and all for free. Does the generation who can have anything at the click of a button, want to buy newspapers and read quality reporting, or is there really nothing that cannot be obtained freely online?

It’s wrong to believe journalism is dead. Nuance is everywhere, and oversimplifi cation is dangerous. In the ‘post-truth’ age where you can say whatever you like to fi t the narrative, with no evidence, and not only get away with it but be rewarded for it with a position of power, a proper press is more important than ever.

Analytical, truthful and investigative journalism must be protected for the future of the world’s democracies. The exploitation of ordinary people’s personal pain is not the way to go about this. The Scottish Sun would do well to consider this if they don’t want to put themselves on a ‘Death Express’.

CURRENT THREADS

Cause I’m movin’ on up, you’re movin’ on out

Moving out, moving on and making noise. What you can expect to hear when you move to University.

HOLLY ELLIS

It might be the fi rst time you’ve lived with people other than your family. It might even be the fi rst time you’ve lived in a big city. I won’t lie and say things are going to be quiet, living in a city comes with a lot of noise. I can’t pretend I don’t notice the traffi c that runs down Sauchiehall Street on a Saturday night. The noise makes me irrationally angry and yet I never once thought to buy earplugs. I can forego a little sleep if it means not missing out on the cinematic masterpiece that was the cheating fi ance on the steps of the Smiths Hotel. Sometimes I get the urge to fi le a council complaint because the clientele keeps me awake all night. I don’t ever fi le anything. Why? Mostly because I realise that my fl at hosting afters till 4am the night before probably kept the little old lady who lives above us awake for the same amount of time. I’m sorry Lee, I hope you’re a fan of Gaga. Moving away from home means more noise and that’s okay. It’ll take a little bit of adjustment but it’s worth it. See, when you live with people in close confi nes you get to know them really well. One of my fl atmates used to be able to tell when everyone got home safe by the sound of their doors closing. This particular talent proved to be quite helpful on a Wednesday night after Sanctuary. My second-fl oor fl at on the busiest street in Glasgow has become my home.

Rewind to the fi rst year of uni. I ended up in Queen Margaret. I got my own toilet, I like a sing-along shower. My fl at gets to hear my bad singing now. It was somewhat quiet in my fl at - the most notable noise was the sound of my fl atmate buzzing back in on a Thursday night after Hive. The noise meant she’d lost her keys again. It wasn’t annoying, it was just a reminder she’d had a good night. It’s a shame I didn’t keep in touch with my fl at. It happens, you meet new people and move about across the four years. In general, though, noise is to be anticipated. Murano kids, I applaud you for your bravery. Someone I know used to call campus security when things got too loud, she looks back on it with regret now. Maybe it won’t quite be the same this year but take the opportunity to have fun before things get too serious.

Fast-forward to second year and it’s the sound of keys fumbling in the lock to the new fl at because no one can quite work out how to open the door yet. It’s even more of a labyrinth when you’re drunk. You’ll consider yourself lucky to have any keys at all by the time you move out again. Three times a week you’ll be greeted by the sound of a takeaway being buzzed up and despite the regularity, no-one seems to understand whether its the red or the green button that opens the front door. You start going to the union for the fi rst time; if you’re an international student you wonder why