News The Ebola Situation : Are you prepared?

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The discussion centers on the media's focus on Ebola, particularly CNN's prioritization of the outbreak over other significant global events, such as the escalating conflict in Gaza, Russia's involvement in Ukraine, and domestic political issues in the U.S. Participants express concern that this emphasis on sensational stories may serve as a distraction from more pressing matters. There is a consensus that media outlets, including CNN, prioritize viewer engagement and sensationalism to maintain ratings, often at the expense of comprehensive news coverage. Some argue that while the Ebola outbreak is serious, it is being sensationalized, overshadowing other critical news stories that deserve attention. The conversation also touches on the need for diverse news sources to achieve a more balanced understanding of current events.
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So right now the mobile CNN website has 5/6 "top stories" with Ebola in the headline. We have a horrible escalation and failure of ceasefire in Gaza, Russia is possibly assisting Ukranian "rebels" shoot down airliners, and the republican house just placed a rule to effectively halt any discussion or progess on the transportation bill. Also let's not forget the Australian double gag leaks, or any NSA topics.

But the headlines are all about two Americans who were flown back to the US with Ebola for treatment. I'm sort of ashamed of CNN, or at the very least its viewership. 5 out of six top articles is a lot. Or do you guys feel this is just a distraction tactic for the current state of affairs? I feel like everytime there's any real world news happening we find something "scary" to distract ourselves with. Anyone else notice this?
 
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Hepth said:
So right now the mobile CNN website has 5/6 "top stories" with Ebola in the headline. We have a horrible escalation and failure of ceasefire in Gaza, Russia is possibly assisting Ukranian "rebels" shoot down airliners, and the republican house just placed a rule to effectively halt any discussion or progess on the transportation bill. Also let's not forget the Australian double gag leaks, or any NSA topics.

But the headlines are all about two Americans who were flown back to the US with Ebola for treatment. I'm sort of ashamed of CNN, or at the very least its viewership. 5 out of six top articles is a lot. Or do you guys feel this is just a distraction tactic for the current state of affairs? I feel like everytime there's any real world news happening we find something "scary" to distract ourselves with. Anyone else notice this?

CNN always goes with the most sensational story but they are hardly alone. If it takes some serious explanation/discussion then they would MUCH rather substitute wall to wall coverage of something simple ... things are blowing up ! ... flesh eating disease !

I'm sure they have done market studies and found that's the best way to get/keep viewers. They are after all in business to make money. If you want serious news coverage, go with the BBC.
 
phinds said:
...If you want serious news coverage, go with the BBC.

Please. I'm not sure somber tones from government sponsored media indicate any special lack of bias or corruption.
 
mheslep said:
Please. I'm not sure somber tones from government sponsored media indicate any special lack of bias or corruption.

Well, then stick with Fox News if you think that's more "fair and balanced" :smile:
 
They would have 'Breaking News" on juggling clowns if it made them money. News is a product designed to sell soap. Ebola sells soap.
 
Certainly, for the two individuals and their families, it is a critical matter of their lives.

But the bigger story is the potential for a widespread outbreak.

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/07/we-are-making-ebola-worse

WHO is now focusing on preparing for the disease's inevitable spread to neighboring countries, not a small ask in poor countries with poor health care systems. "We want other countries in West Africa to be ready—bordering countries, Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal, Guinea Bissau—to prepare themselves in case people affected with the disease may be also traveling," WHO's Dr. Pierre Formenty told a recent briefing in Geneva.
 
Fox news sells right slanted news to the right just as the other outlets pander to their market niches.

So to get a balance one needs to watch Amy Goodman, Bill OReilly, Dianne Sawyer, PBS News Hour, both AlJazeera and RussiaToday networks, and Charlie Rose, not to mention Jon Stewart.

That's too much TV for me.
 
Newspapers? News n commentary journals?
 
Hepth said:
So right now the mobile CNN website has 5/6 "top stories" with Ebola in the headline. We have a horrible escalation and failure of ceasefire in Gaza, Russia is possibly assisting Ukranian "rebels" shoot down airliners, and the republican house just placed a rule to effectively halt any discussion or progess on the transportation bill. Also let's not forget the Australian double gag leaks, or any NSA topics.

But the headlines are all about two Americans who were flown back to the US with Ebola for treatment. I'm sort of ashamed of CNN, or at the very least its viewership. 5 out of six top articles is a lot. Or do you guys feel this is just a distraction tactic for the current state of affairs? I feel like everytime there's any real world news happening we find something "scary" to distract ourselves with. Anyone else notice this?

As an economist I'd give you the following question:

Would a media company earn as well if they informed you that nothing interesting happened today and you should switch them off and try your luck tomorrow? If not then there is necessity to find even more shocking news every day.
 
  • #10
jim hardy said:
Fox news sells right slanted news to the right just as the other outlets pander to their market niches.

So to get a balance one needs to watch Amy Goodman, Bill OReilly, Dianne Sawyer, PBS News Hour, both AlJazeera and RussiaToday networks, and Charlie Rose, not to mention Jon Stewart.

That's too much TV for me.

Russia Today? Comparing with them Fox News can be proud of being objective and unbiased.And about more serious media - what about The Economist? (suprisingly they have lot's of good journalism unrelated to economics)
 
  • #11
And about more serious media - what about The Economist? (suprisingly they have lot's of good journalism unrelated to economics)

Not one I've ever read.

I do take "Foreign Affairs"
http://www.cfr.org/
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/
but even it puts me to sleep. I'd never make it through an economics lournal, I'm afraid.
 
  • #12
With respect to the original post, I don't feel that the stories about the current Ebola outbreak are a distraction tactic by the media. If you review the list of Ebola outbreaks, it's clear that the current outbreak is by far the worst with no end in sight.
 
  • #13
Borg said:
...with no end in sight.

No, insect transmitted Malaria and the like of the airborne common cold virus have no end in sight. This Ebola outbreak is terrible but they are always temporary given the transmission vector of bodily fluids (if it is) among humans, a disease progression over a few days, and due diligence to stop contact. Will there future outbreaks? Surely.
 
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  • #14
Fox presented us with Benghazi over kill (not a good choice of words) and CNN spend a month chasing a vanished airliner.

CNN just went one up on the sensationalism scale with the Ebola scare.

I quit watching when I realized that long after an event the two networks keep sensationalizing whatever they think their audience will watch.

Has either one of them covered the algae bloom and water contamination in Toledo Ohio? I really don't know I seldom watch either one.

Here is a local Fox affiliate using a CNN feed?

http://foxct.com/2014/08/03/400000-in-toledo-ohio-water-scare-await-test-results/

http://abcnews.go.com/US/caused-toledos-water-contamination/story?id=24825275

400,000 people without water in Ohio seems as newsworthy as it gets, yet it was on page four of my local newspaper.
 
  • #15
mheslep said:
No, insect transmitted Malaria and the like of the airborne common cold virus have no end in sight. This Ebola outbreak is terrible but they are always temporary given the transmission vector of bodily fluids (if it is) among humans, a disease progression over a few days, and due diligence to stop contact. Will there future outbreaks? Surely.
Yes I understand, most outbreaks last no more than six months or so. I meant that there's no current end in sight for this event. This event is likely to be of a longer duration because villagers have started chasing off the men in hazmat suits who take their relatives away, bring them back in body bags and don't allow them a proper burial according to their traditions.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/13/health-ebola-westafrica-idUSL6N0PO0V220140713.

But, I'm getting too far off topic by discussing Ebola in this thread that isn't about Ebola. :rolleyes:
 
  • #16
I believe people perceive the Ebola outbreak to be a more immediate threat to themselves and/or friends and family.
 

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