The Unequal Treatment of Maritime Tragedies in Media Coverage
The recent submersible saga and the Greek migrant shipwreck highlight the differences in how human reactions to tragic news are received. The submersible saga grabbed more attention due to its unknown outcome and ticking clock, the historical significance of the Titanic, and the fact that it involved wealthy individuals who had access to the press. Class and race also played a role, with the public showing more interest in the risks taken by the wealthy than the misfortunes of those who lack status and resources. Disaster fatigue is also a factor, with people starting to tune out due to the constant stream of bad news. Ultimately, there should be equal societal interest in human tragedies regardless of race, religion, demographics, or other factors.