The Perils of Putin’s Pauline

In general, I think the news networks are giving us an accurate picture of events unfolding in the war in Ukraine. But I do sometimes feel “manipulated” by interviews and photo narratives that are clearly chosen for their emotional impact (and viewer “appeal”) rather than actual “newsworthiness.” Of course, we all sympathize with the victims of Putin’s war. It’s a given. But I wish CNN et.al. would keep us focused on the overall tragedy and less obsessed with mawkish melodrama (“viewers may find these images disturbing”). This war is clearly NOT a simplistic Hollywood movie in which, yes, the good guys are tied to the tracks, but are ultimately—we knew it all along—rescued (hurrah!) from the clutches of the villain. This is NOT the “The Perils of Putin’s Pauline,” designed to give virtual (and safe) frissons to TV audiences and good ratings to CNN. To indulge in such manipulation of the news amounts to journalistic bad faith. Stop cheapening the suffering by using it for tabloid-style screeching, sermonizing, and money-making.