VIEWER, VIEWS AND BALANCED VIEWPOINTS

We are currently living in very perilous times. The whole world appears to be confronted by a common enemy. And both local and international media have kept this story alive, adding to efforts to save lives, in light of the coronavirus pandemic.  It's refreshing to see TV news coverage incorporating a diverse pool of experts and commentators. The viewer expects balanced viewpoints.

In what seems like an eternity, the dominant opinion in TV news shows has been emanating from male voices, with token appearances of female representatives, every now and then.

An all women panel thus presents a powerful statement of the 'neglected' abilities, capacities and brilliance that reside in the female consciousness.

Indeed, male perceptions in any discourse are likely to only give us half the story, and it would need the input of women to complete the picture.

Which then raises another issue.

Is having an all female panel in TV news discussions equally a disservice to the viewer?

Will this also lead to a warped world-view?

The main aim, I guess, should be to have balanced views, irrespective of whether they are coming from male or female viewpoints.

GADDAFI: FROM REPORTEDLY KILLED TO DEAD

Muammar Gaddafi is dead. He was formerly reported killed, after first being said to have been captured and wounded, in his hometown of Sirte. That was how this story was covered by the international press, with every care being taken not to appear too certain, about the fate of the ex-Libyan leader.

Whereas it is commendable for the media to want to first confirm its facts, it reaches a point, in my opinion, when making reference to unconfirmed reports throughout, ceases to have its original value.

Why would CNN for example insist on first having a confirmation from the US government about Gaddafi's demise, and keep mentioning this fact over and over again in their coverage, while acknowledging that Libyan sources had confirmed Gaddafi's death?

In my part of the world, waiting for a confirmation from the government on any issue, would take close to forever, and you might end up getting the complete opposite of what actually happened. That could perhaps explain why the CNN modus operandi astounds me.

Below is a sample of how this story was first covered by the global media, in the initial stages.