18-Jul-2005
Facts versus Perceptions….
Is “The Way it is…” really ‘The Way it Is’??
One of the reasons I believe the news media has an obligation to the public to give equal prominence to the positive side of the news, is not just for fairness, or because I believe we hear too much bad news.
Although it would be more fair, and there is definitely too much bad news, 24/7, over and over and over.
They need to be aware of how the public, you and I, perceive the news. Facts, and how they are presented, can influence or alter our perception and understanding of them.
If we believe, for example, because of the massive coverage of an event, such as the recent wave of coverage given to the BTK serial killer, (where even his chilling courtroom testimony, in detail of his violent horrible killings of innocent people, was televised all over the world, over and over and over) that this type of killer is common, our fear, due to the ‘over coverage’ of such a fiend, may change our perception of the world around us and make us at the least more fearful of our neighbors, and at worst, more fearful of everyone.
The BTK type of stories could be countered by facts that support the opposite side, the ‘bright side’, if they were given even have the coverage in prominent positions on cable news and daily newspaper.
Here is an example of a story that would make you less afraid, and more hopeful about crime in general, and murders in particular!
Last month, The FBI released to the public, and to all of the media, their compilations of crime statistics for 2004.
Here are the highlights of that report:
Before you read it, out of 270 Million people in the United States, how many murders do you think were committed in 2004?
Murders: The number of murders fell in 2004 for the first time since 1999.
The number of murders fell by 3.6 percent nationwide, from 2003, with cities under 10,000 having the largest decrease, 12.2 percent. Cities with more than 1 million had the next largest decrease, 5.4 percent!
Total murders in the Unites States in 2004 were less than 15,900!
Pretty different perception now that we see the facts presented as sensationally and prominently as the lone killers and headline grabbing gang slayings etc. isn’t it?
The FBI also reported a nationwide DECLINE in ALL type of VIOLENT CRIME.
This story, by the way, was a one paragraph news item on page A6 of my metropolitan newspaper, and I didn’t hear a word about it on any news program, or cable news talk show.
Finally, I’d like to share with you a poem I came across today. Like Andy Rooney, my office is always a mess, and once or twice a year I have to clean it up and reorganize it.
This poem was written by me in 1983. I was approaching my 45th birthday, and was reflecting about all the wise people who had helped me along my life’s path. I hope you enjoy it.
A WISE MAN SAID…
A wise man said remember, as you journey down life’s road,
To stop and help the weary, it will lessen your own load.
A wise man said remember, before your worries get too great,
To spend your time enjoying life, before it gets too late.
A wise man said, remember, if you run into a wall,
To look a little harder, there may be a door there, after all.
A wise man said remember, before angry words with others,
Whatever be your differences, we are all sisters and brothers.
A wise man said remember, when your finances are small,
There are lots of folks among us with nothing at all.
A wise man said remember, when your laughter fails you,
A sense of humor is the best answer when bad luck assails you.
A wise man said, if you’ll remember, and not forget,
Of all the days you’ve lived, today is the best one yet.
-Bill Bailey 1983
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