> It’s an unfortunate fact that media reporting on individual crimes yields a relentlessly dismal drumbeat of downbeat news. But even as each reported crime yields a story that is terrifying enough to shape our perceptions, the truth is that none of them tells us much about the broader trends. Far better to ignore the anecdotes and focus instead on the big picture, and the hard data tells us: There’s been a remarkable decline in crime.
But then the media isn't really about giving us perspective, is it?
No, it really isn't. It's about getting viewers, selling newspapers, and getting clicks. And the best way to achieve that is by using strong emotion, usually negative. Fear, hatred, disgust, anger.
I'm not sure how a democracy is supposed to work, when the people voting are being given bad information on such a massive scale.
There are so many important areas when what people believe and what is true are miles apart.
But then the media isn't really about giving us perspective, is it?