Violence in the News

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Mr Writefix

Television news shows many scenes of disasters and violence. What effect can this have on individuals and society?

Introduction When we turn on our TV news, we can see people suffering, dying, or being killed. We are shown images of earthquakes, floods, wars, tsunamis and storms. Thesis – what the essay will do In this essay I will discuss if the effects of seeing all these horrible pictures are negative or positive.

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Watching such scenes of disasters can have negative consequences. Idea 1, and example or more information For example, we can become fed up. If we see constant suffering in places like Africa, we can think that there is no possibility of change there. Idea 2, and example or more information We may also stop helping people. Even though we keep giving money, the problems of famine and drought seem to continue. Idea 3, and example or more information Finally, we may stop caring at all. Images that shock us the first time become normal and we don’t think about the humans that are being affected.

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However, these images can also have positive effects. Idea 1, and example or more information For one thing, it is important to know what is happening around the world. Without knowledge we become ignorant. Idea 2, and example or more information Secondly, the footage shows us what real people are experiencing. We appreciate what we have, and more importantly, we start to help the suffering people. We can raise money or donate goods. Idea 3, and example or more information Sometimes, learning these videos can push us to take action such as going to these countries to work or volunteer or even to fight.

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In conclusion, it can be depressing or uncomfortable to watch these images. However, they can motivate us to improve the life of our fellow human beings. Opinion / future / recommendation I think we need to think about what we are watching and not just watch for entertainment.

This essay has only 256 words – the info below is incorrect

Violence on Television (short)

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Mr Writefix

Television news shows many scenes of disasters and violence. What effect can this have on individuals and society?

It’s almost impossible to avoid seeing images of famine, war, natural disasters, and violence on our screens. These graphic images can encourage us to act, or leave us cold. In this essay I will discuss the effects of these constant powerful pictures.

It’s natural to respond to other people’s suffering. When we see hungry children or frightened refugees on our televisions, we want to send money or support. Huge relief efforts such as Live Aid or Action for Haiti have resulted from ordinary people’s reactions. Another natural response is anger. We ask our leaders to act to change the political or economic situation that causes the pain. Some people also take action themselves. They volunteer time in their home communities to raise funds, or even work or fight in the affected region.

Have a look at a longer (400-word) version of this essay

However, the frequency of these painful and violent scenes can also have opposite effects. First of all, it doesn’t seem right to watch tsunamis or other disasters while we are eating breakfast. Some people become obsessed with bad news on the television or internet. Second, it’s also natural to protect yourself and those around you. To reduce the impact on ourselves or our families, we change the television channel or make a joke about the conflict or continent affected. Finally, because the images seem never-ending, we get fed up sending money which does not seem to have any effect. Many people feel powerless and therefore do nothing, until an even more powerful image is forced on them.

In conclusion, these scenes can motivate us to act and help others, or they can discourage and depress us. It’s probably better to think carefully about what we watch and our reasons for watching.

Violence on Television (Long)

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Mr Writefix

Television news shows many scenes of disasters and violence. What effect can this have on individuals and society?

Satellite television and 24-hour news channels mean that viewers are inundated with images of natural disasters, wars and conflict from around the world. While it’s important to know what is going on in our world, it can be depressing or counter-productive to watch repeated images of famine, fighting or fear. In this essay, I will ask if these scenes have a negative effect on us.

Have a look at a shorter, 300-word version of this essay

Most people agree with the need for news organizations to provide us with up-to-date and accurate information, and live pictures convey information in a way that words cannot. For one thing, live footage or pictures allow us to understand the situation very rapidly. People can grasp what is happening much more quickly than by reading long articles. A second point is that pictures allow us to form our own idea of the situation, without input from the reporter or journalist. A picture of a starving refugee baby or of riot police and tear gas does not seem to need explanation. Finally, graphic pictures force us to see the situation as it affects normal people, not the politicians at their meetings or in their expensive cars.

However, the constant barrage of images can be counterproductive. Instead of learning more about the starving baby and what led to the situation, we push the image from our mind. To protect ourselves, we group the images: another typhoon in the Philippines, another earthquake in China, another bomb in Gaza. As more and more images appear we feel more and more powerless and unable to contribute to solving the problem. A second point is that news organizations compete to make their images more graphic: greater carnage, more crying mothers, angrier protestors. We also have to question the reliability of some of the images: are they staged? Many television stations and journalists have their own bias and agenda. The result of this is that watching the news becomes harder and we respond less and less to the situation and to the human suffering.

In conclusion, we need to stay informed but we also need to limit our exposure to the constant tide of news and shocking images. Too much can wear us down or make us callous, and we need to get past the simplistic images and understand the story behind it.

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Violence in the News

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