14 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • APRIL 2020
MEDIA BLAMING
NOT A CORONAVIRUS CURE
BY TIMOTHY BOLGER
Editor In Chief
We’ve all gotten the memo to wash our
hands, not touch our faces, and stay home
to avoid catching coronavirus, but there’s
another pandemic afoot that also needs
addressing: The viral spread of media
blaming.
I’m not saying those who report for the
media, however you define it — cable
news? radio? newspapers? some blog
headline you skimmed on Facebook? —
are perfect. Far from it. That’s why we
publish corrections, to publicly atone for
our journalistic sins.
But in my nearly two decades of covering
local news on Long Island, I’ve never seen
such an outpouring of animosity toward
members of the press who are simply
reporting basic facts of significant public
concern.
As a reporter, I understand the need to
question everything. “If your mother
says, ‘I love you,’ double check it,” my old
editor would say. But people who are
actively defying urgent public health
advisories are crossing the line from
expressing healthy skepticism to being
outright dangerous.
So, here’s a reminder: Fake news is intentionally
inaccurate clickbait — online
posts designed to lead readers to links of
dubious value — such as the recent one
making the rounds about liquor stores in
New York State closing. Fake news is not
a story based on independently verifiable
facts that challenge your worldview of
how things ought to be or are critical of
your preferred politician.
The news media are not going to stop reporting
on things the public needs to know
about, such as how many coronavirus
patients were diagnosed in your community,
or places that need to be sanitized
after an infected person passed through
— all stories that have drawn misguided
allegations of being sensationalized. These
are basic facts people should be aware of
so they can take precautions and try to
avoid contributing to the exponential
community spread of a deadly disease
overwhelming our healthcare system.
Don’t believe me? Go ask your local doctor.
Neither shooting the messenger nor overreacting
will help us get through these
unprecedented times. Just like hoarding
toilet paper won’t keep a respiratory illness
from spreading, internet lynch mobs
trolling journalists for sharing important
information with the public won’t cure
what ails us. The media didn’t order the
coronavirus shutdown and inspire the
ensuing chaos; we’re just a mirror that’s
reflecting what’s happening.
Are you tired of stories about coronavirus?
Stay home so it stops spreading.
We’re as sick of this as you are and will
be more than happy to cover something
else once it’s over.
POINT OF VIEW
“Tired of stories about coronavirus?
Stay home so it stops spreading.”
MARTIN A. GLEASON FUNERAL HOME LLC.
CARING FOR OUR FAMILIES
FOR OVER 100 YEARS
SINCE 1913
Our dedicated professionals are available to assist you any time, day or night,
to ensure that you and your family receive personalized attention, comfort and care.
Pre-planning and at-need arrangements may be made in our home or yours.
Bayside 36-46 Bell Boulevard, Bayside N.Y. 11361 • 718 428-2210
Flushing 149-20 Northern Blvd., Flushing N.Y. 11354 • 718 359-6300
Whitestone 10-25 150 Street, Whitestone, N.Y. 11357 • 718 359-1122
OUR LOCATIONS HAVE LARGE PARKING LOTS • OUR PREMISES ARE FULLY ACCESSIBLE
Family Owned and Operated
Active members of many community organizations including: Knights of Columbus, Bishop’s Coat of Arms Club,
Ancient Order of Hibernians, Flushing Rotary , First Friday Club
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
