Opinion    


Media = More Violence?

By: Meghan Roy
Westgate CVI
Thunder Bay, ON


It has been over a year now since the Columbine shooting which took the lives of so many innocent people. The media took to this story as reporters and video cameras fled to the scene knowing that this would be a story of a life time. Reporters didn't stop to think about their actions and the affects their stories would have across the globe. As young viewers watched the victims families cry and rage out in anger, ideas burst through their minds.

 

As months go by the media still continues to feed on violent situations, especially violence in schools. The question is, does the media play a role in the new shootings, the new death threats or the violence in our schools today? Many people are saying yes - blame the media, but can we blame them for showing the horrible truth that is corrupting our society? Or, should we hide from the violence like cowards? Perhaps we should say that the media was just doing their job, but took it too far?

The problem is violence in schools is at an all time high and it seems to happen after a media story on a high school shooting. The reality is that if these children aren't watching the news or reading the newspaper, then where is this violence coming from? Perhaps it's the cartoons with killing and fighting, but does this mean that these cartoons should be taken of the air? Society seems to blame television for the violence that is taking over children.

With much news coverage on violence, killing and corruption, people's minds are swarming with emotions that can lead to violent actions. One of the most recent media coverages was the six-year-old boy who shot and killed his classmate. This story touched the hearts of many individuals, with the main question trying to be answered - how could such a young child kill another child? Was he watching the media and the other kids killing each other or was it just because of his home life?

As the local six o'clock news rolls around, we are once again informed of another violent act that a youth has committed. With never-ending coverage youth violence is taking its toll around the world. Maybe a journalist should cover a story about the actions and views of teens and children after media coverage explaining in detail the violent situation or maybe journalists could start covering positive contributions teens are making in their community.

Is this violence going to be a never-ending media story or will it die down over the years becoming forgotten events in our society's history?



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