Media can't help but Sensationalize

Apparently, the Swine Flu is now 'Sweeping the Globe'. Yup - it's official. I read it in the news, on the Internet. Right here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30486742/ Yup - It's from MSNBC, a reputible news and reporting agency right? So it must be true right?!? Right?

Um - no. It's all hogwash!

Check this out: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30485593/ See that map? See the countries that are colored? What do you suppose the percentage is of infected countries vs non-infected countries? I don't have an actual number, but it look like less than 25% to me.

When did 25% become 'sweeping'? When did "JoNel Aleccia", the author of the article, become the person to decide that 25% is 'sweeping'? Where is the 'proof'? If this statement had come from some obscure blog - such as joeschmoe.blogspot.com, then that would be something else - that would be an opinion of someone. But I thought news reporters were supposed to be 'side-free'. I thought they were supposed to report the news, and nothing but the news?

It's no wonder that this swine flu has gone crazy across the world! The media says it has and it's just trying to fill the shoes the media made for it. And it will! Oh yes, it will grow and grow and grow and the media will continue to sensationalize it, and all other news particles so that they can sell more papers, get more hits, earn more money. Thats what it is all about - more money.

The CDC claims 36,000 Americans annually die from flu. No - not the swine flu - just the flu. Broken down - that would be Just over 100 PER DAY. Just over 100 people have died from the swine flu since what's agreed to it's start in March of 2009 in Mexico. That ws 2 months ago. Do the math!

I feel great sorrow to those who have lost their lives to this swine flu. I feel even more sorrow for those who lost loved ones, family members, children and what they must now cope with. I do not envy them at all, my heart goes out to all who struggle.

But this post is about how the media is using scare tactics to sell more papers, generate more hits, make more money. Gone are the days when reputible news agencies actually reported "the news, the whole news, and nothing but the news". Now are the days of the media sensationalizing anything they can to make a buck.

Keep your mind about you all - keep your wits too. Think - think alot - THEN react. Live smart, wash your hands, be careful, watch for symptoms, but for heavens sake - PLEASE don't freak out like the media is doing. Please, act smart.