Does the media secretly HOPE for a tragic death?

Question

We all know tragic death's sell well in the media. This morning CNN reported a Congresswoman's death which was NEVER confirmed by any credible sources. She was in fact hospitalized in critical condition but she was not dead while this report aired. They only found out she was still alive after a press conference outside the hospital said she was in critial condition.

This tells me that the news media doesn't sincerely care about a person's well-being, they only saw an opportunity to boost ratings and they took it without actually confirming the story first.

Sadly, she really is dead now. But I'm glad CNN didn't get their "money shot" with the initial report. b******s.

Answer 1

Not secretly.

Answer 2

I would say yes, it'd be a field day wouldn't it? Think of all the stories and money they'd make from it. I mean, remember the tragic death of Heath Ledger, that was milked for all it was worth wasn't it?

Answer 3

I'm going to have to say yest to this. They are a business and they are in it for the money. SO... yes... if there's no bad news people really don't care!

Answer 4

h**l yeah, sells papers and advertising, sick world we live in sometimes. They are more excited about ratings and sales than concern for a human life. Think about war coverage. It's just wrong.  

Answer 5

i would assume so. it's what sells magazines and papers. its sad i know but people have a facination with death and tragedy.

Answer 6

A good journalist will hope for the best, but plan for the worst. That;s not to say there aren't journalists out there hoping for tragedy, but the ones really worth their weight will report tragic events, but wish they didn't have to.

The goal of a war photographer is to show people the horrors going on so that those people will speak up and stop those things from happening. If you know your history you will realize that the public's reaction to the Vietnam war is due almost entirely to the photojournalists of the time.

As an example, my news room is sending every photographer except myself to the Democratic National Convention not due to the exciting images we will get of people speaking, but because if someone gets shot, it will be huge news. We aren't hoping for it to happen, but we must be there if it does.

Too many people blame the reporters for news that angers them. We don't make the news, we just show you when it happens.

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One more point. Anyone who thinks that journalists are in it for the money clearly has no idea how much journalism pays.

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

Your definetly right,and yet they can safeguard themselves by saying anyone who criticizes them for doing so is "insensitive to the deceased family" or whatnot

Answer 9

No--I don't think they wish that.  I think they get in big trouble if they don't get the story first which is why they report anything they find.  Too many media channels and agencies if you ask me.

Answer 10

probably yes because there all desperate for money these days i bet there hoping for a really big celeb to die!