Bad news has always seemed to sell good media. We seem to have an insatiable appetite to watch, to read and to listen to the misfortunes of others while simultaneously giving silent thanks that we weren’t the ones involved.
The bar seems to have been set even higher of late though by national TV Media and their apparent reluctance to report on anything much unless it includes our leaders fighting on the evening news, or involves mass casualties, firearms, the odd stabbing or two and even an axe if they can work it into the allotted timeframe before the sports and weather.
Recently, the average media consumer can easily be forgiven for thinking the sky is about to fall in. Freedom of the press and the right of individuals to tune out aside, it all seems to be feeding a national hunger for misfortune, fear, anger, disrespect and criticism of others as the new norm. Where are we going with all this?
Worse, at the individual level we seem to be reacting by getting stuck into others. Pulling people down at any cost seems to be taking hold in the national mood. Worse, a person’s ability to criticise others seems to now be a gauge of how much we value and admire them. What’s going on? It’s not effective and it’s turning a bit un Australian along the way. On this track, and before too much longer all anyone will have to do is bash a good idea, or bash a good person, in order to look intelligent or in charge.
But is it endemic? No it’s not. Despite the opportunities of the news and of venting angry thought bubbles on social media, we still care, a lot.
Close communities may scratch their head from time to time, but they will remain close. People respect each other and acknowledge strangers as welcome as long as they don’t do damage. Close communities stand up for each other, respect everyone’s right to have a say, appreciate a good debate and respect a good result in the end. The country itself won’t be any different if we can ever manage a civilised debate on the important things in life. Yes some things are bad here and overseas, and things have been worse. People will always have a natural curiosity with the misfortunes of others. Maybe though, it’s time again to also show our true values. Decency, courtesy, kindness, honesty, and respect for someone other than oneself would probably be a great start. - Paul Woodhouse is the chair of the NW HHS board and the Regional Development Australia Townsville and NWQ board.
