The Impact of Distressing News and the Erosion of Trust in Traditional Media
In an era marked by the constant bombardment of distressing news, it is no surprise that people are increasingly opting to turn off the news. The images and descriptions presented are often beyond imagination, leaving viewers feeling overwhelmed and powerless. The scale of cruelty displayed in our society is incomprehensible, and newsreaders have been forced to adjust their scripts to acknowledge the distressing nature of the content. However, even these acknowledgments fail to capture the enormity of what is unfolding before our eyes. As a result, a third of the global population actively avoids the news, and the number of people interested in staying informed continues to decline. In this article, we will explore the impact of distressing news and the erosion of trust in traditional media, as well as the consequences of an angry and polarized world.
The Loss of Trust in Traditional Media
The decline in trust in traditional media has been a significant factor in the growing disinterest in news. While information was once seen as a source of power, the essential feedback mechanism of democracy has broken down. Traditional media was the first to lose trust, but other forms of media are quickly catching up. The constant exposure to distressing news has contributed to this erosion of trust, as viewers question the motives and biases behind the stories presented. As a result, people are seeking alternative sources of information, further fragmenting the media landscape.
The Rise of Hate and Division
The poison of hate has permeated the airwaves, with a notable increase in reports of racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism. The media has played a role in amplifying this hate, as divisive rhetoric and sensationalism drive engagement and viewership. Candlelight vigils and mass rallies may offer a semblance of solidarity, but the underlying hatred remains. The more proponents of unity and compassion speak out, the more hearts seem to harden. Images depicting the consequences of harsh policies on marginalized communities fail to touch the majority, as self-interest and apathy prevail.
The Failure of Institutions and the Limits of Human Rights
The institutions that emerged from the postwar settlement and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights have demonstrated their limits. Despite progress, there are still those who view others as sub-human, perpetuating injustice and inequality. The media’s hunger for conflict often leads to a zero-sum game, leaving many as losers. The pursuit of absolutes in politics strips away the potential for finding common ground and meaningful solutions. As a result, the media landscape becomes a battleground for competing ideologies, further polarizing society.
The Australian Experiment with Silence
Australia’s history provides a compelling example of the consequences of silence. At the moment of federation, reports of the mistreatment and killings of Aboriginal people vanished from the press. The nation chose to believe that its existence represented a victory over a dying race. This experiment with silence continued in various forms, with certain topics deemed unsayable and the trauma of war and migration left unspoken. However, the human capacity for forgetting is limited, and the legacy of trauma persists across generations, constraining possibilities for healing and progress.
The Gift of Deep Listening
Emeritus Professor Judy Atkinson has explored the trails of trauma in the lives of Australia’s First Peoples. She emphasizes the importance of deep listening, a practice rooted in First Nations’ ways of being, doing, and seeing. This approach offers an alternative to the modern media landscape, which often fuels anger and division. Atkinson argues that by embracing deep listening, both individually and within families and communities, we can begin to address the underlying anger and grief that plagues our society. This approach requires a departure from the current media paradigm and a willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue and understanding.
Conclusion:
The modern media landscape is marked by distressing news, an erosion of trust in traditional media, and a rise in hate and division. The institutions that were meant to protect and uphold human rights have shown their limitations. However, amidst this chaos, there is hope in the practice of deep listening. By embracing this gift, we can begin to heal the wounds of the past and forge a path towards collective well-being. It is time to reimagine the role of media in our society and prioritize empathy, compassion, and understanding in our pursuit of truth.
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