I want to be very sensitive about this, but the story of the missing climbers on Mt. Hood is a great example of how the media will stretch out a news story. While the details remain slim and I think we’re all hoping for the best, they continue to post the same story over and over again.
Here is an example:
Pics of Climbers Raise Worries in Search
“Photos found with the body of a climber found on Mount Hood have increased worries about how long his two missing companions could survive in the brutal environment, a sheriff said Tuesday.”
The rest of the story is the same, but they used this new information as the headline hook to bring readers back. The problem is, no new questions get answered, which is their number one job. But, they also have to draw readers because they are a business, so they are doing anything to do this. I think they have intentions to keep people informed as well, but sometimes the media can be the best marketers of all. We all know what this does to trust when we don’t get what they hooked us with. What they left out is that the photos show what gear the climbers had, and it isn’t looking good.
Here’s hoping for the best.
1 comment so far ↓
Good post. I hate the news. Have you noticed their blatant use of fear-tactics to get people to watch the nightly news? I swear every story starts with “Is your family safe? Tonight at nine” or “A new virus outbreak - are you at risk?” or “A recall that could have your child’s life at risk - Tonight at nine”, etc.
It’s such BS. I have to believe there is news out there worth reporting on, but are their ratings really hurting so bad that they have to attempt to scare people into watching every chance they get?
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