Most of you know I've gone on about how the problems of Covid19 can be tied to media exaggeration. By exaggerating the Wuhan incident in January 2020 they created a global panic which has infected the world and made most countries over react. But most media cannot resist continuing this (as they did with Brexit and problems like sex abuse). I just watched a ten minute montage on BBC News at 8.30 am with victims of this horrid disease explaining emotionally how dreadful it is. No sensible person could disagree. It can be very nasty indeed. But for the vast majority it remains a trivial virus, much like a new variant of Flu.

The BBC could equally do a montage of cancer victims (450 deaths a day in the UK). It really is distressing. Or relatives of the hundreds of road accident victims (they DO that sometimes if it's a good story; like the motor cyclist and the American lady). Or people suffering from strokes or heart attacks. Very painful to experience - let alone watch. The families of suicides. Sepsis victims. Indeed, the many elderly who die of the worst killer of all - old age.

But no; that doesn't fulfil the agenda. Create a "great story". Global killer plague. We are all at risk. Save the NHS. Clap for heroes.

In the previous century it didn't really matter. But this century we've seen a horrendous development. The legal system believed the hype (I discovered this myself in 2001). Governments believed it (Brexit and Covid19). Politicians became elected through it (media - especially social - elected Trump).

Because as a species we have embraced superficiality. We want instant gratification. We've neither got the time nor the inclination to think deeply. We accept government by tabloid headline. Ruling by slogans.

I was really shocked by the BBC montage. Terrible editorial decision. But only reflecting all of the media. Including Twitter which is possibly worse than all the others, encapsulating complex solutions into 140 characters (as it was when it started). Twitter banning Trump is a Prime Example of simplistic ruling. In a free world nobody should be banned from expressing thoughts, however we may disagree with them. What's the reality of the Trump/Twitter ban? Slightly more than half American voters took against Trump; so Twitter considered that a valid reason to ban him.

He's been Tweeting madness for years. For God's sake give us some degree of ability to see for ourselves.

In 2020 - NO!

Media irresponsibility? so nothing knew there.

But you are glossing over some aspects.

I reckon the booting of Trump off social media is more to do with real fear of legal responsibility.

There is a new powerful administration coming in in a week (for at least 2 years) and who knows what revenge new social media rules they will bring in ?

afterall they will try to define themselves as something very different from the outgoing mob.

Still comparing ways to die as though one in some way, one cancels out the other? Odd really.

It don't the fit their agenda.

The media love scaring people.

And quite amazing differences between neighbouring countries. Why doesn't the media examine Belgium vs Netherlands? Or Spain vs Portugal? Numerous excuses - variation in diet. Different reporting measures. Different testing regimes. Better health care. But of course it is ALWAYS a mixture of many things. However, overwhelmingly we see OVER REACTION by Governments.

hedda wrote:


Still comparing ways to die as though one in some way, one cancels out the other? Odd really.

The problem is that it is a new way to die as portrayed by a totally irresponsible media who I agree hyped this beyond sanity.

Gov then feels it has to say (so foolishly taking responsibility for it) "we can save you all!". People believe. The madness takes on a life and logic all it's own; like a fevered religion.

Problem is it is not a new way to die; it is just a strain of virus.

This was the link to that very interesting piece you've quoted WYOT.

torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/canadi...tter_impression=true

Wyot wrote:
hedda wrote:


Still comparing ways to die as though one in some way, one cancels out the other? Odd really.

The problem is that it is a new way to die as portrayed by a totally irresponsible media who I agree hyped this beyond sanity.

Gov then feels it has to say (so foolishly taking responsibility for it) "we can save you all!". People believe. The madness takes on a life and logic all it's own; like a fevered religion.

Problem is it is not a new way to die; it is just a strain of virus.

Calm down Wyot - I'm working on it.

Green Man wrote:
[quote]Wyot wrote:
[quote]hedda wrote:




Calm down Wyot - I'm working on it.



And here's the Charles Manson of the new cult. Looks more like a hamster with a nut stuck up his arse, but don't be fooled....

I remember thinking to myself ‘plague’ around this time last year. Switching from reactionary knee-jerk mode to questioning/reality check mode is not easy.

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/31/a-...n-coronavirus-crisis

i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/24/08/23812...23_1579856541060.jpg

www.thegatewaypundit.com/wp-content/uplo...03032020-511x600.jpg

i.ytimg.com/vi/Gq1H6_FkkC4/maxresdefault.jpg

i.ytimg.com/vi/k7UXc_tStDA/hqdefault.jpg

viraltab.news/wp-content/uploads/2020/04...llapse-01-scaled.jpg

md wrote:
I remember thinking to myself ‘plague’ around this time last year. Switching from reactionary knee-jerk mode to questioning/reality check mode is not easy.

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/31/a-...n-coronavirus-crisis

i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/24/08/23812...23_1579856541060.jpg

www.thegatewaypundit.com/wp-content/uplo...03032020-511x600.jpg

i.ytimg.com/vi/Gq1H6_FkkC4/maxresdefault.jpg

i.ytimg.com/vi/k7UXc_tStDA/hqdefault.jpg

viraltab.news/wp-content/uploads/2020/04...llapse-01-scaled.jpg

Yes when more realistic pictures for the vast majority of people would have pictured someone under a duvet for a few days watching a box set....

of course we all know the media hyperventilates over everything..amazingly the general public is onto them now (but still cherry pick the bits they want to believe and dismiss)

It's why Private Eye created Glenda Slagg

But I can't see that the media is influencing the government to act in certain ways..rather the media just makes a drama over big and small matters.

In Australia we have a 70% Murdoch dominated newspaper industry which in true Glenda Slagg style has been lauding the NSW "right wing" government for it's Covid response whilst tearing apart the "left wing" Victorian government for their Covid response...yet both governments have been in lock step and basically handled the pandemic the same.

It's been quite interesting to watch and both governments have ignored the tabloid sensationalism.

Reading the UK media and watching what Boris & Co do..I can't see him reacting to say, the Daily Mail etc.

But maybe you can provide examples.

otherwise it's just business as usual for the media.

## With Trump being banned from online forums and Parler being taken down..I say it's come to a head because of this:
### And in addition a group of relatives of dead Covid patients are planning a class action against Fox News for claimg along with Trump that Covid was a hoax.
No idea how it will all pan out but I've always thought much social media has been skating on thin ice.

Fox News Faces Lawsuit For Calling COVID-19 A ‘Hoax’

www.forbes.com/sites/legalentertainment/...ews/?sh=35d3ed495739

Now there is Gab which has it own servers.

www.ibtimes.com/gab-benefits-twitter-les...rler-removal-3119231

Wyot wrote:
[quote]Green Man wrote:
[quote]Wyot wrote:
hedda wrote:




Calm down Wyot - I'm working on it.



And here's the Charles Manson of the new cult. Looks more like a hamster with a nut stuck up his arse, but don't be fooled....

Hold my nuts.