I get it. Death and violence sells and online news sites have to make money like everyone else. But seriously, Cnn.com and other online news sites, could you be a little more compassionate with the commercials we must sit through before getting to the news?
As we wait anxiously for the video to load to tell us the news of deaths and injuries in Boston and Texas, we’re inundated with happy ads. Is that appropriate? Can’t you add small banner ads to the videos instead? Yes, you have to make money, but I have to tell you, I view the advertisers you show me before the videos of tragedies differently. They’re forever connected with the event and it’s toll on human life.
Do your advertisers know that they’re actually being harmed by being shown before the bloody bodies of victims? That their humorous commercials that they spent millions on to produce and publish are being shown before a woman tells an interviewer that her home has been leveled and she’s lost everything she owns? That her dog died and through her tears we find out she narrowly missed being injured? Or that her husband, a first responder, is fighting the fire and she can’t get in touch with him?
Cnn.com isn’t the only guilty party, but they’re the one I go to first for national news so they’re the one I’ve experienced most. No longer do I love the “More” commercial from AT&T. The sweet children talking nonsense used to be my favorite. Now it’s melded in my brain with the fertilizer plant explosion and the announcement of fatalities, the continuation of searches, and the possibility of additional explosions. Now every time I see those sweet faces I’ll be reminded how this explosion is like the Murray building explosion, buildings destroyed, and people hurt and killed. I won’t be able to smile or laugh with those adorable children anymore…they’ll remind me that innocent people died.
I’m pretty sure that’s not what AT&T intended and I don’t blame them, I blame CNN.
Am I the only one bothered by the commercials before tragic news? Is it just the funny ones or any ad? Is there a better way to make ad revenue from tragedies?
I agree, but we all know ‘the all mighty dollar’ is priority-it’s very sad. I was watching a the breaking news on a major network the other night (with all of the cheery commercials) and they also continued to advertise upcoming ‘series premiers’ and new episodes of hit shows. Then the news coverage stopped right at 8 and one of their biggest hit shows aired. I had to channel surf to find continuing coverage. they should find some sort of middle ground when something terrible like happens, although I can say I pray we never have to see any more situations like we have recently!
I feel the indignation too as you reflect in your writings. I am glad that there are people who observe and voice their disappointment in this capitalistic society.
I think the world we live in is changing every day and I don’t think we should blame the media. We need to blame each other and ourselves for not raising our kids right. I went to bed Thursday night reading about shootings on the mit campus and not even thinking that it was related to the Boston marathon bombing. I just thought it was another messed up person spreading the misery they have to others. Media doesn’t make people do things. untreated mental illness and lack a morals and values do.
I Agree that they should limit the amount of commercials. I just find that I cannot watch the news for very long when they keep showing the horrors again and again.
Hey Maryann,
It’s not about the number for me, it’s about the type of commercials. They seems so insensitive.
Money is the bottom line. However, the advertisers are not stopping to consider that we, the audience, are losing respect for them by their actions. If enough people get together and let these advertisers know that there is a time and place for their ads, and that we, the audience will boycott them, they may change their practices. Again – it comes out to revenue.
That is one of the reasons I quit watching TV… that and the lack of compassion and discretion that the reporters show the victims. They seem to be more interested in getting the story than giving someone the space they may need at that moment. Any news I get now is from online only……
I just wrote a post on this as well. The bottom line to me is if an ad would bother you personally seeing it alongside of the news of a tragedy, then don’t show it. Same goes for posts or tweets!
I think that the media outlets need to stop continually showing the bomb exploding in Boston. In one newscast,they showed it over 10 times. The media needs to be careful how they cover these tragedies and not sensationalize it. I am so sad for the tragedy that has happened in Boston. And I agree that the advertisers need to be more sensitive to showing inappropriate commercials during these stories. My prayers and thoughts go out to the victims.
I worry that as a society we’re becoming desensitized to the trauma suffered. I know we need to know the severity, but the countless loops of bloodied bodies has to be impacting us in harmful ways.