Volume 88 | Issue 7 | obiter-dicta.ca
The Definitive Source for Osgoode News since 1928
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
THE ROLE OF MEDIA
THE CULTURE OF RESPONDING TO TRAGEDIES
ê The picture depicts the large crowd of Torontonian supporters that gathered in Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday November 14th to show camaraderie with the families of
those affected by the terrorist shootings in Paris, France at this difficult time. Photo credit: blogTO.com
christina candea › contributor
W
hen tragedies, like the recent terrorist shooting in Paris, France occur
the world seems to pause in shock.
Articles from online news sources,
as well as national tabloids and television programs
begin broadcasting ‘breaking live news’ coverage of
the scene that continues for hours after the event has
ceased. Social media networks are flooded with wellmeaning hash-tags and messages of sympathy and
condolences; the same pictures are ‘shared’ countless
times, with thousands of ‘likes’ thrown around the
web. It is not always clear whether people take part
in this social media campaign because they truly care
about the tragedy that took place in another part of
the globe, or whether they are simply swept up by the
wave of empathetic sentiments that flood their social
media feeds and don’t want to be left out.
I understand the role of the media not only as a
reflection of the culture of our country, but also as a
tool that shapes and propagates our values. As such,
when I arrived home Friday evening and noticed that
the CBC was broadcasting prolonged coverage of the
tragedies in Paris, I couldn’t help but ultimately be
insulted on behalf of all of the human suffering in
non-Western nations that were not being reported.
The anchor was spitting out statistics such as, “this
is the largest attack on Paris since World War II” to
seemingly fill airtime, as there was no development
happening on the screen. However, the cameras continued rolling, even though all that could be seen now
were stationary emergency vehicles on the scene. I felt
offended, as other Canadians likely did, that the CBC
would choose to fixate on a tragedy that occurred in
» see tragedies, page 19
In this Issue ...
editorial
Uber Innovation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
news
Paul Bernardo Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
opinion
Afghan Sex Slaves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
arts & culture
TV L Rev . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
sports
Toronto Blue Jays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17