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November 12, 2006
the Media and Pedro
The nation mourned after the death of Pedro Zamora in the story Pedro and Me. News stations
around the country were reporting on his story and about his tragic death. what
role does the media play in honoring or wrongly depicting stories like Pedro's? In what ways are there certain stories that shouldn't be covered in the media?
By Jayme Bennett and Anna Hoffman
Posted by Jayme Bennett at November 12, 2006 09:20 PM | Pedro and Me
Comments
The media's depiction of stories such as Pedro's goes out to mass audiences, and so the role the media plays in how it depicts stories such as this is extremely important. The way a story plays out can honor or dishonor a life, depending upon how well and how thoroughly it is covered. WHo is interviewed, what scenes are displayed, and what about hsi/her life is revealed? What was omitted? What questions were left unanswered? The media is responsible for reflecting life accurately, and anything that is affecting the lives of others or that has the potential to affect society, is ripe for coverage.
Posted by: mfwright at November 13, 2006 12:18 PM
It's difficult when very private moments, such as the death of a loved one, are displayed publicly by people who did not know the deceased. It's also difficult if the information presented was not entirely accurate or didn't aptly represent the life of the deceased.
I dont know what shouldn't be covered in the media. I would guess most things shouldn't be in the media because it is a matter for those who are associated with it.
Posted by: Amanda Powers at November 13, 2006 05:13 PM
Media plays a huge role in how society views a situations, such as Pedro's death. Look at 9/11. The media has made us internalize the day. Also, look at the war in Iraq. Depending on who is presenting the information and what stand they take on the situation impacts the final outcome of how society views it. After watching your video, I feel everyone would feel the loss of Pedro.
Posted by: Natalie Senske at November 13, 2006 05:14 PM
The media can never actually depict exactly what happened because it is usually a third party event. Depending on how the person writing the story wants to depict the event, the story can be spun in a positive or negative light. The story can be told at a personal level or a very separated, factual level. I think that media can put an incredible spin on any story, regardless of whether that spin turns out to be positive or negative.
Posted by: Emily at November 13, 2006 05:16 PM
The media can often portray a situation that isn't really there just to boost ratings. From what the book said the media did just to Pedro's death and I think that your video also did just to the seriousness and impact of the situation and the events that followed Pedro's death.
Posted by: Matt Evensen at November 13, 2006 05:17 PM
I think that it was great that the media covered Pedro's death. It was one last thing he could do to help promote his cause. I think that the media also wrongly portrays people by not showing both sides of the story. Pedro's story needed to be told. In his case the media helped.
Posted by: Sarah at November 13, 2006 05:19 PM
I'm torn in answering this question. I feel that when death is involved the family has the right to grieve privatly. They shouldn't be forced to grieve publicly and be bombarded with their loss on every news and media outlet. The perpetual news coverage of the world trade tower tragities didn't sit well with me because I thought of all the families who were missing their loved ones. It's really good to get stories like Pedro's out there but to glamorize it and tell his story from someother lips takes away from the genuine meaning.
Posted by: Amy Moe at November 13, 2006 05:21 PM