I’M not trying to fault my fellow media professionals for trying their best to create content during this tough time but how many think-pieces do you have to write before people get tired?
Every other day on my timeline I see a lame headline that reads something along the lines of: “Are animals resurfacing in human-dominated areas mean that we’re the virus,” okay that was a little long but you get the corniness.
Other common ones are: “What has the virus taught us,” “Ten reasons why we need to stay productive during lockdown,” or “Will the coronavirus change our attitudes about death.”
ALSO READ: This pandemic is cancelling the year
I saw a tweet that was rather dramatic but almost accurately depicts how bored people are getting of these types of articles.
The tweet read: “Coronavirus think pieces make me wanna die more than the actual news.”
It’s so tiring because these articles subtly inflict more panic when we really don’t need it.
The regular coronavirus coverage on the news and daily updates on death tolls, recoveries and infections is enough for people to deal with.
The last thing people want to hear is how this virus could change normality and how we need to learn stuff during a global pandemic.
To be clear, not every column written about the pandemic is bad, I’ve read some poignant analytical pieces about how certain governments are handling the virus – which is both informative and interesting, but telling people that nothing will ever be normal again isn’t necessary.
ALSO READ: Celebrity culture is being exposed during this pandemic
The general public aren’t stupid.
Do you think that people who have lost their jobs, loved ones and sanity will come out to a normal world when this virus eventually dwindles away? People aren’t that naive.
Another thing that I’ve found to be annoying is an article I read that’s calling for a permanent alcohol ban, which isn’t realistic at all.
I don’t think any of these lockdown rules should be made a permanent fixture in our constitution going forward.
I’m not saying writers shouldn’t think critically about how the virus is affecting humanity, they should just be wary of how powerful their words can be and realise that we have enough exposure to the media that’s causing us to be paranoid and uncertain about our futures.
These think-pieces are redundant and are probably a desperate attempt by publications to get some much needed clicks.
*Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
