double standards

I have a hard time digesting terriorist attacks of any kind so listening to Brook Gladstone talk about Nigeria was almost too much. At first I was so surprised that all of these attacks could go almost unnoticed by the media but the more I listened and after the discussions in class it became not as surprising! (as sad as I am to say that)

One of the biggest reasons why I think there is a lack of media coverage on the attacks in Nigeria is from the digital divide. We had so much access to Charlie Hebdo coverage because there was video from a cell phones posted online, it is a possibility that if there were some first hand videos of those attacks in Africa more people would be taking more notice. That is the great thing about social media because we control more of what goes viral, there are no producers filtering content to what will "sell". If anything it would allow people to at least be aware those attacks were happening.

Another reason why there isn't much media coverage is because it isn't new, as heartbreaking as that is. It has been happening and is continuing to happen. I believe that there is a sense of "but what can we do about it?" One of the reasons why I hate watching the news because it makes me feel absolutely helpless to these people that are suffering. Charlie Hebdo is shocking and not at all ordinary for Paris. Charlie Hebdo has gotten so much press because it is Free Press/Free Speech pride! Everyone is rallying behind a pretty controversial magazine because everyone (rightly) believes that no one should have to die for that. Unfortunately that brings the connotation that if you didn't die with a "purpose" you don't get to be covered on live television...

It makes sense that the media has covered Charlie Hebdo much more than Nigeria but it certainly doesn't make it right.