Titan vs. Migrants: Media Selectivity & Us
The most pressing news event during these last weeks of June 2023 has been over the missing submarine that embarked on a tour of the infamous 1912 Titanic wreckage. Known as the Titan, this explorative mission tragically resulted in the vehicle’s implosion and the death of the five individuals on board. This calamity has opened the eyes of many safety management divisions and has been the spark for a commonly avoided conversation on the necessity of explorative trials. Though this event has smothered our headlines and social networks, another devastation remains on the back burner of what is 'socially relevant.' Perhaps even more saddening, a ship off the coast of Greece which contained about 500 migrants from a variety of Middle East countries capsized. According to PBS, only 104 travelers were rescued, with 82 bodies found and even more missing. What is now categorized as one of the deadliest shipwrecks in the Mediterranean has remained largely unaddressed, and arguably, subdued in the ongoing media efforts to rescue the Titanic submarine's wealthy explorers. This stark representation of developed nations' tribulations over injustices of other global areas remains a continuity in information platforms today. What historically began as a necessary diffusion of knowledge has turned into a for-profit consequence of the capitalistic mindset. The consequences of our current media selectivity reach much farther than the United States and the Mediterranean and displace communities in need of legislative action. In diverting necessary attention away from already underserved communities, the life quality of the wealthy and the powerful are further exacerbated. Just because we are not hearing about it, does not mean it isn't happening.
Titan Rescued vs. Migrant Subdued
Those onboard the Titan paid $250,000 for an upfront view of the Titanic wreckage approximately 2.5 miles below the ocean’s surface located in Newfoundland, Canada. After only 2 hours into the mission, the submarine lost contact with and could no longer be located by their above-ground database, Polar Prince. The crewmates consisted of the Titan’s pilot and organizer, Stockton Rush, a British explorer Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet and Pakistani Investor Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman. The initial (and still ongoing) efforts put to search and rescue have become a topic of contention. Robots and explorers scouring the ocean floor, medical officials on standby, thousands of emergency protocols evoked by the national guard, an ocean lift system, along with many other prestigious technologies and tools. Experts noted that the cost of relocation and emergency efforts put towards the submarine and crew will be well over the millions of dollars. This has been devastating for connected families of the lost crew, safety organizations, and maritime explorative efforts in general. However, attempts put towards a wealthy group of risk takers differ dramatically from the likewise efforts and coverage of economically and politically marginalized groups.
In contrast to the Titan disaster, there has been minimal coverage of the devastating Mediterranean migrant shipwreck. An estimated 500 migrants were fleeing from Afghanistan, Syria, and Libya, driven from their homes as a result of food insecurities, political warfare, the hard-hitting effects of climate change, and fear of religious persecution. The route trekked, known as the Central Mediterranean Route, is known as the deadliest maritime route due to unknown wind and weather patterns. Many communities only have such an option, however, as safer routes are largely unattainable. This tragedy is among many in the last decade in which the International Organization of Migration has counted 27,000 missing migrants in the Mediterranean since 2014. But what is being done in the prevention of such disparity? Victims of these wrecks are receiving lifesaving medical care and support in transit to and from countries of refuge from places like the International Rescue Committee. However, unlike the Titan’s ship-searching measures, the EU has yet to provide efforts to locate lost families or implement any maritime travel criterion on ship safety protocols that could reduce the risk of more missing migrants.
News Theatre
What could have been different if they received equal media attention? We know that knowledge is power and in our day and age, knowledge comes primarily through our press coverage. Largely, what is mainstream is what is addressed by activists, policymakers, politicians, and institutions of change. When we fail to acknowledge ongoing systemic problems through our popular forms of media, change is not given a platform to foster. But it is not only that some issues are not widely shared, but the stories that are carefully reproduced support the historical legacy of appeasing the white narrative and remaining subservient to the wealthy and the privileged. This media selectivity proliferates popular (and incorrect) stereotypes of marginalized communities through news stories of crime, despair, hardship, and all of what we have been trained to expect to see. Even with outlets that exist to combat pre-existing narratives, international audiences continue to seek out platforms that confirm their beliefs. Indeed, it has been found that prejudice-consistent stereotypical depictions is correlative to detrimental social impacts and uses of prejudice-challenging illustrations can be beneficial to popular discourse. When popular news networks select for relevant coverage they must consider who their audience is and what personal bias they hold. Philip Seib, Professor of Public Diplomacy and News Analyst describes how in the United States, "‘relatively few news executives appear willing to gamble that the American news audience might be interested in the rest of the world." Therefore, overlooked topics — like the migrant shipwreck or gun violence in Somali committees — remain suppressed in the media and deprive efforts to assist profound social causes. And sadly, noted by Virgil Hawkins in his 2011 research, there is no 'middle class' news stories: most conflicts are usually that of intense focus or are virtually ignored.
This very disregard for some stories and widespread diffusion of others directly influences changes and productions of policy, and lack thereof, to combat such issues. Truly, what is displayed becomes what is fixed. It is sad to witness millions of dollars in efforts to locate the sunken Titan and an insubstantial amount of regard towards refugees in critical need.
Equal Representation
When our headlines are bombarded with the most "newsworthy" tragedy, we are naturally reeled in. We can't all just boycott CNN and BBC or write off all journalists for reporting on a still-substantial devastation. But in today's fast-paced media landscape, it is crucial to be aware of the prevalence of prejudice-based news networks and their potential impact on our perspectives and beliefs. To navigate this challenge and promote a more balanced understanding of the world, it is essential to seek out diverse and reliable news sources. Provided is a list of resources that can help challenge prejudice-based news networks and encourage a more informed and critical approach to news consumption:
1. Media Bias/Fact Check - This website provides an extensive database of media outlets along with assessments of their political bias and factual reporting accuracy. It is a valuable resource for evaluating the credibility and underlying biases of news sources.
2. AllSides - AllSides presents a unique platform that offers news stories from sources across the political spectrum, including left, center, and right-leaning perspectives. It encourages readers to gain multiple viewpoints on the same topic and develop a more comprehensive understanding.
3. FactCheck.org - As the name suggests, FactCheck.org focuses on fact-checking claims made by politicians and other public figures. This resource helps readers separate factual information from misinformation or differing forms of propaganda.
4. Snopes - This is a widely recognized fact-checking website known for debunking rumors and misinformation. It is an essential tool for verifying the accuracy of viral stories or claims.
5. The Associated Press - The Associated Press (AP) is a nonprofit news agency known for its neutral and unbiased reporting. Subscribing to their services or directly accessing their website can provide a reliable and balanced source of news.
6. Reuters - Reuters is another globally respected news agency that emphasizes accuracy and impartial reporting. It covers a wide range of topics and regions, offering reliable information from a balanced perspective.
7. PBS News Hour - PBS is a respected American public television program that provides in-depth coverage and analysis of national and international news stories. Its commitment to objective journalism makes it a reliable resource for news consumers.
8. The Conversation - The Conversation is an independent news outlet featuring articles written by academics and researchers. It offers in-depth analysis and expert insights on a wide range of topics, helping to eliminate chance for bias or partisanship in popular media.
Likewise, support initiatives and non-profits dedicated to defying a norm of media theatre and a prejudiced information climate is ever important if we want to eventually reverse current journalist protocols. Here are a list of blogs focused on spreading valuable information on global disparities that go popularly unaddressed:
1. Global Voices - An international community of bloggers and journalists, providing a platform for voices from around the world to share stories and perspectives on social justice issues.
2. Impakter - A platform that focuses on global social and environmental issues, covering a wide range of topics including poverty, inequality, human rights, and sustainable development.
3. Everyday Feminism - A blog dedicated to intersectional feminism and social justice, exploring the connections between gender, race, class, and other forms of oppression.
4. Global Inequality - A blog by economist Branko Milanovic, offering insights into global income inequality, poverty, and economic development.
5. Equal Times - An independent media organization providing in-depth coverage on international labor issues, workers' rights, and social justice around the world.
Non-Profit Organizations focused on International Social Justice:
1. Amnesty International - A global movement that works to protect human rights and fight against injustice, carrying out research, campaigning, and advocating for change at an international level.
2. Human Rights Watch - An international non-governmental organization that investigates and reports on human rights abuses worldwide, striving for justice and accountability.
3. Oxfam - A confederation of non-profit organizations working in over 90 countries to fight poverty, inequality, and social injustice, while promoting sustainable development and humanitarian aid.
4. Transparency International - A global movement against corruption, working to increase transparency, accountability, and integrity in both the public and private sectors.
5. Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) - An international medical humanitarian organization providing emergency medical aid to people affected by conflict, epidemics, natural disasters, and exclusion from healthcare.
6. International Rescue Committee - A leading humanitarian organization providing assistance and support to refugees and displaced populations, focusing on areas such as education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
7. Rainforest Foundation - A non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the world's rainforests and the rights of indigenous peoples living in those areas, advocating for environmental and social justice.
8. Global Fund for Women - An organization that supports women's rights groups and movements around the world, working towards gender equality, women's empowerment, and social justice.
Information is power. Be very careful what you allow power to in your personal social media, your community, and within your mind.
