Media conglomerates love sensation. Sensationalism sells the media's product/service--both directly and indirectly. More often than not the old media have an axe to grind, and that axe is called self-interest. The more eyeballs or clicks, the more advertising revenue they can command.
When an ostensibly random individual poured muck over a Cabinet minister recently in New Zealand it was tailor made for sensationalism. It happened in Christchurch as that city marked the five year anniversary of the big quake. It was a pretty solemn occasion. But the random protestor wanted to protest how cruel, heartless, and oppressive the government has been towards the people in Christchurch.
This is how the media framed the incident:
The man who today admitted throwing muck over Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee at a Christchurch earthquake five-year anniversary memorial service yesterday lost his teenage son in the disaster. John Andrew Howland pleaded guilty to assault at Christchurch District Court today.
So . . . grieving dad. Had been ignored by the authorities. The Government has been heartless. It was not taking care of quake families. A perfect patsy for sensational muck raking. And sensation sells.
John Andrew Howland speaking outside Christchurch District Court today. Photo / Kurt Bayer
Howland's 14-year-old son Jayden Andrews-Howland was killed by falling masonry on a bus on Colombo Street. He was last seen boarding the No 3 bus into the Christchurch CBD shortly before the magnitude 6.3 quake on February 22, 2011, having been let out of school early due to a teacher-only afternoon. Outside court, Howland said the Government was "just heartless... no compassion". "They're not taking care of all the [quake] families - like us, and everybody else," he said. "There needs to be more support, more communication, and just compassion really." [NZ Herald]
The "new media" have lots of bad aspects. But one of the better attributes is that all citizens now have the opportunity, not just to second guess the propagandist media, but to check and verify. It also provides individuals a platform upon which to stand and speak and be heard. New electronic media have provided the means by which to expose superficial and shoddy reporting by self-interested old media.
And so it has happened in this case. It turns out that John Andrew Howland has form. He has appeared in court on serious charges three years ago and been convicted. A quick internet search to cross check would have told the intrepid NZ Herald reporter that. Let's assume that the particular NZ Herald reporter, Kurt Bayer was conscientious enough to complete just such a cross check. It would be appropriate to give him the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately for Bayer, that does not help. Either he was ignorant of Howland's criminal past or he was duly cognizant but decided to suppress it. After all, Howland's complaint about the Government being heartless and having no compassion would have lost its sensationalist gloss if information about his prior criminal offending had been included.
But the contribution of the new media have not stopped there. Facebook has facilitated a relative to speak out about Mr Howland:
Ok I have sat back and watched this play out and said I would not speak up but enough is enough!!!! Let’s get something straight…I am Jayden’s Aunty and know this story better than any of you commenting. He had no right to do what he did…it was premeditated, embarrassing, humiliating and totally undermined my nephews memory yesterday!!!We have no idea whether Karen Andrews (the author of the Facebook post above) is telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth. But as the old venerable proverb has it, "The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him." (Proverbs 18:17)
He does not live in Christchurch, doesn’t own a house so has never had any insurance or EQC issues so don’t blame that for his actions. He never raised Jayden, that was our family…don’t be fooled by the grieving father line…it is guilt that he wasn’t there for his son!!!
He is playing you all…don’t feel sorry for him..save that for The family that raised Jayden into the amazing young man he was!!!! Yes I know the pain first hand of the EQ’s…why??? Because I lost my home (red zoned in Bexley), I lost my nephew, I’m dealing with a son who has special needs and has been effected very badly from these events and I’m battling the mental health system and educations systems for him daily, all while grieving myself!! But do you see me out there making bad choices??? NO because I know that what happened wasn’t fair but you have to find a way forward, laying blame doesn’t change anything. Be a man and honour your sons memory!!!!
Now I’ll wait for the backlash for getting the truth out there!!!! I’m disgusted beyond words that my nephews memory has come to this. He’d be so ashamed. RIP Jayden
The opportunity to dig and get at the truth without being dependent upon self-interested old mass media framing everything to advance their own corporate agendas is is one of the great advances brought to citizens by the new media. It is no small accomplishment.
H/T: Kiwiblog
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