CHANNEL 7
Coverage of Haiti

I would like to complain about the absence of effective coverage of the Haiti earthquake.
As we all know on January 12th, more than two hundred people perished in a freak natural disaster.
This event was not caused by any god, but by movements of the earths geothermal plates.
Perhaps this absence of a human force can explain the grave imbalance between coverage of events such as September 11th and the beforementioned earthquake.
I rarely watch channel seven, and make a special effort to avoid any news coverage from the channel; and now my convictions are confirmed.
I sat for at least fifteen minutes, during which time I saw a story about credit card fraud, a visit from one of the Royal Family, and a story about the possibly flailing plans of the NSW government's Metro scheme for the city of Sydney.
While I'm sure these stories hold some resonance for viewers I think there are undoubtebly more significant events taking place in the world.
While I'm sure there has been some coverage since January 12th, I think perhaps more than two minutes could be afforded to the story.
I have read reports of incompetence of behalf of the United States, and an overall feeling that an invasion, not a show of unmitigated support, is taking place. Yet this found no mention in the 6pm news.
Nor was there any mention of the efforts being made financially to support the ongoing tasks being performed by the extraordinary people trying to assist this ravaged island.

Of course this is an unpleasant story; of course it is easier to watch Prince William kissing the cheeks and shaking the hands of his excited Victorian fans, yet I think a network which commands a great number of regular watchers, who turn to them for the news, must take responsibility and play it's part.
Media must face the facts that it too plays an undeniably crucial role in the relief effort. Only coverage of the event will spur those sitting at home on their couch to react, to consider how lucky they are, to consider helping out.

Thanks

Company: CHANNEL 7
Country: Australia

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