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Writer's pictureShaady Salehi

How the Media is Perpetuating the Very Issues People Are Protesting

My career has been focused on using media and storytelling as a force for good. This past week, however, has revealed the toxic side of media, as news outlets flocked to cities across the U.S. to cover the protests sparked by George Floyd’s murder. I watched with horror, disgust, and extreme heartbreak, as news coverage quickly and almost eagerly shifted its focus from peaceful protest to images of broken-in storefronts, tagged police cars, and buildings on fire.


For many media consumers, it may not be obvious that this is a bad thing. After all, if it’s breaking news, shouldn’t the media cover what’s happening? Sure. But after watching hours of television news coverage this past weekend, one thing became blatantly clear: the mainstream media is fanning the flames of the very systemic issues that gave way to George Floyd’s murder in the first place.


It is no secret that mainstream media coverage is biased against Black people. This past week was no exception, as American households were served up two dominant images: one of George Floyd’s tragic and senseless murder (victim), and another of young people setting cars on fire, breaking into businesses, and looting (criminals). The latter has been paired with equally incendiary language -- rioting, destruction, takeover -- which further sensationalizes our nation’s heartbreak as if it were a spectator sport.


These narratives are disempowering, dehumanizing, and incredibly harmful. Where were the perspectives of movement organizers? Where was the thoughtful analysis of the contributing factors behind this nationwide protest? Where was the deeper examination of the systemic issues that have permeated our nation’s law enforcement for centuries? Where were the impassioned speeches from movement leaders?


As households around the world spend much more time at home in front of screens, our blind consumption of media is becoming more and more common. Just as we may mindlessly “fog eat” a whole bag of chips without really thinking about it, we are at risk of doing the same with our news and information.


If the recent protests have taught us anything, it’s that it is time for a new narrative in America. As constant media consumers, it is imperative that we think critically about our information sources and the special interests that support them. We must wake up to the fact that the dominant news media is simply perpetuating the same harmful narrative that has fueled the genocide and persecution of Black Americans for centuries.


We need to think way more critically about what is going on right now, and why people are so enraged. We must recognize that by passively taking in sensationalist reporting, we are simply perpetuating the system of oppression that the protesters are speaking out against. The future of our nation depends on our citizens’ ability to be actively engaged media consumers. And we can start by seeking out better and deeper analyses of what is actually going on.


I've translated my frustration toward a commitment to diversify my news sources from here on out. Let's seek out non-commercial, independent media sources (NPR, Colorlines, Democracy Now). Let's look for nuanced reporting that showcases multiple perspectives (Al Jazeera). Let's hear from Black-led news outlets (LA Sentinel, Atlanta Black Star) and Black storytellers (Firelight Media). And next time we find ourselves blindly consuming media images of cars on fire, let's close that browser window, change the channel, and demand something better.



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