Time to get back to reporting rather than predicting the news

There has been a fundamental change in news coverage over recent years going from reporting to predicting the news.

This phenonema was apparent in the recent election, as commentators vyed with each other to share their crystal balls with the electorate.

More recently there has been coverage of the Corona virus,pp which has become a projection game regarding cases in this country. 

Worryingly, there is tendency to grab for rhe worst prediction, then seek to normalise it.

This was seen early on when former health secretary Jeremy Hunt talked about 70% of the population being effected in a worse case scenario. This was seized upon by some and projected as the norm.

The language of much of the coverage repeatedly uses words and phrases like might happen, could do and is likely.

Ofcourse, there is every need to be ready and prepared for whatever maybe coming with the Corona virus but it is wrong to frighten and panic people with hysterical coverage that seeks to normalise worst case scenarios.

Dare i suggest that this type of sensationalism may help sell papers and attract viewers and readers to media outlets but it does not help deal with the problem of the Corona virus.

The government have been dealing with things in a measured and responsible way, with informed advise, particularly from the chief medical officer. 

Thankfully, the public have behaved remarkably calmly, following the precautions recommended like washing hands and avoiding contact. People have continued to go about their daily lives, refusing to be panicked. Long may it continue.

This predictive style of journalism really can be very damaging. It has been seen time and time again with terrorism - hyping atrocities and predicting armageddon. 

Surely, it is time to step back and consider what we are doing as journalists. The role is to report what is going on, unearth injustice and highlight positive happenings as well. Journalism is supposed to inform and educate, not frighten and depress people. Arguably, this predictive form of journalism is a close relation to fake news.

So let''s get back to proper journalism, unearthing the facts and getting the news out there - it's time to put away those crystal balls and do a bit of truth telling.

 

published - Wanstead & Woodford Guardian - 12/3/2020