The Visual News Loop as Emotional Abuse?
Is it just me? Or is anyone else disturbed about the practice of cable news shows featuring video loops of violent and disturbing footage as they describe related news reports? Yesterday CNBC was on (my husband watches the financial market openings in the morning), and they were reporting on the riots in Greece. There was a small amount of footage of rioters throwing rocks and smashing windows, and police in riot gear responding. Although there were only a few seconds of images, the disturbing footage was looped repetitively at the center of the screen, between the charts, the crawls of stock prices, and the talking heads, who were droning on about the expected impact of the Greek crisis on world markets.
I agree that the footage of rioters has news value. Wouldn’t dream of arguing that it be kept off TV. But looping it is an “aesthetic” decision. It’s been decided that talking heads and charts aren’t enough to maintain the coveted viewer’s attention.
Maybe they don’t care, but they should know that these disturbing visual images make it harder to focus on and absorb their verbal content. But beyond that, viewers should know that repetitive exposure to visual images of violence and hostility causes stress. Not only does it raise your blood pressure while watching, the effects often carry over beyond viewing, leaving you feeling unnecessarily anxious and uptight.
What can you do?
- Consider avoiding programs that replay disturbing images gratuitously (beyond their news value)
- Write, email, or tweet programs and let them know you don’t appreciate their practices
They’re your eyeballs … and it’s your mind, after all …
Tags: attention, distraction, Greece, image, news, stress, violence
May 6th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
I agree violent, graphic images are disturbing. I feel you are minimizing the impact of emotional abuse and it’s devestating effect on the impact on it’s victim and their families. These images may be disturbing but it is the looping is unnecessary, yet not to the seriousness of emotional abuse.
May 6th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
I in no way want to minimize the seriousness of emotional abuse that occurs between people. If you are offended by that headline, I am truly sorry. I perhaps should have chosen a less dramatic term. However, I’ve been studying the emotional effects of exposure to disturbing media for 40 years, and I know it can really take a toll on our mental and physical health. Many people minimize these effects. Thanks for your comment. I will take it to heart.