Comments on: SARS as a moral panic? http://synapsechronicles.com/2003/04/07/sars-as-a-moral-panic/ Thoughts that made it to the page Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:08:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Grant Young http://synapsechronicles.com/2003/04/07/sars-as-a-moral-panic/#comment-54 Grant Young Wed, 09 Apr 2003 22:35:24 +0000 http://synapsechronicles.com/2003/04/07/sars-as-a-moral-panic/#comment-54 Thanks for your comments Anna. I agree with you about the valid public interest perspective of reporting on SARS. From another perspective, there is also the fact that over 100 people have lost their lives to the illness, which is devastating to the family and friends of those who have died, and hospitalised many others. And the suppressing of this information by the authorities in some countries that is also of concern. My comment was not meant to argue against the public's right to know about viruses such as SARS, or about the valid concern that a deadly virus that is still unknown should give rise to. My concern is the focus that the media places on the sensationalist aspects of such events, at the expense of a balanced perspective. And the reporting of SARS (at least here in Australia) seemed to be heading in the wrong direction. Thanks for your comments Anna. I agree with you about the valid public interest perspective of reporting on SARS. From another perspective, there is also the fact that over 100 people have lost their lives to the illness, which is devastating to the family and friends of those who have died, and hospitalised many others. And the suppressing of this information by the authorities in some countries that is also of concern.

My comment was not meant to argue against the public’s right to know about viruses such as SARS, or about the valid concern that a deadly virus that is still unknown should give rise to. My concern is the focus that the media places on the sensationalist aspects of such events, at the expense of a balanced perspective. And the reporting of SARS (at least here in Australia) seemed to be heading in the wrong direction.

]]> By: anna http://synapsechronicles.com/2003/04/07/sars-as-a-moral-panic/#comment-53 anna Wed, 09 Apr 2003 19:07:47 +0000 http://synapsechronicles.com/2003/04/07/sars-as-a-moral-panic/#comment-53 deaths caused by malnutrition and water conditions have existed for years... unfortunately these deaths are no longer a mystery to us. don't get me wrong... i believe that the world should ALSO be concerned of these pre-existing situations. SARS on the other hand is something new to most us. prevention is still unknown and the cure is still vague. the Media has the power to inform people of the dangers of SARS and by letting the public know how to help prevent further contamination, SARS can be controlled before it gets out of hand. deaths caused by malnutrition and water conditions have existed for years… unfortunately these deaths are no longer a mystery to us. don’t get me wrong… i believe that the world should ALSO be concerned of these pre-existing situations. SARS on the other hand is something new to most us. prevention is still unknown and the cure is still vague. the Media has the power to inform people of the dangers of SARS and by letting the public know how to help prevent further contamination, SARS can be controlled before it gets out of hand.

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