Media Mayhem

I'm usually all for leaving it to the experts.  I think it's the reporter's jobs to report the news and we should listen to them rather than get our news through the grapevine.  But after the last 48 hours or so, I'm convinced that the everyday human is doing a much better job reporting the news compassionately than most major media outlets, which is just a bit sad. Between the ABC News helicopter hovering over Robin Williams' home yesterday and the genius that thought it was a good idea to speak to a cameraman that just happened to be in AA with Robin Williams (pretty sure they call AA, anonymous for a reason, jerk!), everyone seems to be losing what little integrity they had left.

There have been some beautiful tributes to Robin Williams on Twitter in the last 24 hours, much more heartwarming and kind than anything CNN or ABC have put out.  Tucker Carlson went on air and called the man a coward - only to apologize a few hours later when he realized so many people were mad at him.  And some congressman decided to cash in on his death to try to drum up votes.  How utterly disgusting and slimy is that?  Whereas, multiple posts on Twitter, Instagram and even BuzzFeed have shown an outpouring of love and compassion as well as assistance to those that may be in the same boat, as opposed to making us feel sick.  

What's even worse, if it could be any worse, is that it also seems that these stations are ignoring big stories such as what's happening in Ferguson, Missouri (which I haven't seen covered at all yet) or the ongoing Ebola crisis or the crisis in the Middle East in favor of sensationalism and canned quotes that aren't remotely helpful. Shame on you!

Robin Williams was a seemingly wonderful and thoughtful man.  He deserves the respect that many are giving him.  If any good can come out of this senseless tragedy it's that suicide prevention, depression and alcoholism are being thrust into the spotlight.  Make that the bigger story.  Don't give us sensational details about the hours leading up to his death.  Give us facts and ways to help.  That's what this country needs right now.  Maybe, just maybe by doing so he can provide the assistance to others that he wasn't able to find himself.  

And while you're at it, start reporting actual news.  In case you haven't noticed, there's a whole lot on our country's plate right now - it shouldn't take Twitter to tell me that! (Speaking of which, Twitter is the only reason I know about Ferguson Missouri right now, how is that possible?)