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Don't let the media dilute the message
© St. Petersburg Times Like the Alamo and Pearl Harbor, it's important to remember Sept. 11, 2001. As one of the most horrific tragedies of our time, and probably the single worst in U.S. history, the attacks must never be forgotten. The events of that day, and the ensuing fight against terror they represent, should remain burned deep into our collective psyche. That said, I beg the media, particularly the image-dependent television stations, to show some restraint when they cover the stories of rememberance Wednesday. Not everyone needs or wants to be reminded. Children and those still grieving the loss of loved ones are just two groups that come to mind. But the rest of us, less directly affected by recounting those dark days, also would benefit from some well-placed moderation. How many times will we be forced to watch the hijacked jets plunge into the World Trade Center towers, or the flames rising from the Pentagon crash site, or that smoldering nothingness in a remote Pennsylvania field? How many more photo reprints of desperate victims choosing certain death by leaping from upper stories rather than being burned alive? How many more pregnant pauses from newscasters who, heads-still-a-shakin', have yet to find words of sufficient import to describe the horror and devastation? For many of us, the relevant story today isn't about the carnage of Sept. 11; it's about how this sneaky massacre altered our world. It's about the slaughter of a way of life, and the loss of innocence and security. It's about what fate awaits us and the monsters who perpetrated it. Most of us are guilty of allowing the shock, outrage and urgency of Sept. 11 to fade with time. After a few weeks or months, we were numbed by the daily barrage of film footage from ground zero and gut-wrenching stories of the victims and survivors. After a while we listened with only one ear to the daily press briefings from the nation's capital, and cast a familiar eye toward maps of faraway places with names we don't care about mispronouncing. No one forgets on purpose. Some do it to cope with the painful memories. Some do it because the more mundane things in their lives again demand attention. But we all do it because the media guide us away from it. Newspapers move the stories about the war on terror off the front pages. Television networks hawk nauseating reality shows as the credits run on news shows that report more about teeny-boppers than terror. And radio talk shows prostitute their bully pulpits for bathroom-humor ratings. That apathy will change some this week. The airwaves and ink will be red, white and blue as we all take a look back at one of the most dreadful moments of our lives. Politicians will trade in the campaign signs they waved on Primary Election Day for a flag and a photo-op. And pundits will ask pointed and pertinent questions about the progress of the nomadic war on terror. Rememberance and patriotism will take many forms this week. Everyone should follow his own path to that end. But there will be some who won't, and that doesn't make them insensitive or unpatriotic. It just makes them human, and perhaps a little less susceptible to putting their emotions on display or manipulated by the media. These folks are more likely to shake the hand of firefighter, cop or soldier and offer thanks for a job done well every day. Let's hope the coverage will be tasteful, dignified and balanced, and not rely on horrible images to shock the public into watching. If it's not, viewers and readers may tune it out before they can appreciate the obligation of this solemn occasion. -- Jeff Webb can be reached at (352) 754-6123 or webb@sptimes.com.
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From the Times South Pinellas desks Jeff Webb Letters |
