OVER THE TOP?
One story dominated the news this week.
Had King Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson returned to invade Northumberland?
Had Al Qaeda activated a cell of jihadists in the North East?
Had the Spanish Armada landed and were conquistadors advancing on Rothbury?
I was confused after all hundreds of armed officers from eight police forces, forty elite firearms officers from the Metropolitan Police, twenty armoured cars sent over on the night ferry from Northern Ireland, and a RAF Tornado with imaging equipment were involved.
Then I realised that all this was for one sad loser, Raoul Moat, seeking his fifteen minutes of fame. Of course the main stream media played a major part in making this desperate man some kind of folk hero. Anyone who thinks he was should follow this link to a photo of PC David Rathband possibly blinded by Moat, and remember he murdered Chris Brown.
When both red top and broad sheet newspapers wallow in this story I am saddened at the developments in our society, and deliberately did not buy a newspaper today.
"Gazza, I Blame the Police" Daily Star
"I have no dad and nobody cares about me" Moat's Final Lament. Sunday Times
You do not need to be a forensic psychologist to guess that Moat suffered from some sort of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and would have enjoyed his notoriety.
Regretfully there is now a strong possibility we will get people copying Moat, and Bird [the Cumbrian taxi driver, who murdered twelve people last month].
I would like to suggest that newspapers and television spend a bit more time telling the story of our brave soldiers in Afghanistan, and people like PC David Rathband, who put their lives on the line for us every day.
posted by Uriah Robinson at 5:23 AM
5 Comments:
Norman - I agree completely about the media coverage of the Moat story. Over here we've had our share of coverage of that story, and you're right; there are too many articles that make Moat out to be almost a sympathetic character. It would, indeed, probably be much more productive to focus coverage on those like Rathband who risk everything for citizens, rather than on people like Moat, who are so destructive.
I've been ignoring this story (and the previous Cumbrian one) too. I agree that there are much more important things to write about, but unfortunately the media is obsessed with being as stupid and irresponsible as possible, as well as appealing to the lowest common denominator. Why don't they write about a few scientists instead? Or anyone, who has actually used a brain and done something with it - that's something to admire.
Margot you are right, but unfortunately we have many people who are released from prison who are both destructive and self destructive.
Too many of our young people want instant fame rather than a career. This is the responsibility of television and newspapers who laud footballers, pop stars, WAGS and other so called celebrities.
Mini rant over! :0)
Maxine, we were trying to ignore this as well, but last night's TV news in which the death of a brave soldier in Afghanistan was reduced to 30 seconds and they went on and on about Moat flipped Mrs Crime Scraps and myself out.
When we read this morning's newspaper headlines and saw the broadsheets were on the same story I felt a rant coming on.
There is one US news station, I can't remember which, that always has one item about people who are doing good deeds to help others, and it would be a good idea if the BBC were to adopt this idea.
We once had an educational system, the grammar schools, that produced scientists, engineers and doctors from all sections of the population.
Now apparently schooling consists of viewing movies such as Bruce Almighty [religious instruction] and The Day after Tomorrow [geography].
I agree we are appealing to the lowest common denominator rather than aiming for excellence.
Well said. The story was even covered by news media here (albeit without portraying the late Moat as a type of rebel). But I fear the subsequent adulation of M in the UK might be an element of the national make-up, if you consider Jack Wild, Dick Turpin et al/ia ...
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