Terrorists, by definition, mean to terrify. Aided by the national news media, the nation is terrified on a daily basis as anthrax and bioterrorism dominate the agendas of network news programs, national magazines and newspapers.
The obsession with tabloid journalism and sensationalism honed during past spectacles (think O.J., JonBenet, and Chandra) has combined with the current events regarding discoveries of anthrax to create a firestorm of scare stories. Certainly the existence of anthrax in letters sent through the mail and the temporary shutdown of the U.S. House of Representatives are legitimate news stories, but the lack of balance in national coverage has pushed the national anxiety level to an unnecessary high point.
Tom Ridge, the newly appointed chief of Homeland Security, did his part to calm the fervor when he said Thursday morning that even though thousands of people have been tested, only five have tested positive for anthrax. And only one man had died of anthrax. As tragic as even one death may be, this still seems to be a successful showing for authorities during what is obviously a bioterrorist attack. Yet it’s difficult to find a positive spin on any news stories.
Think about it: one death from anthrax in the past few weeks. Yet more than 250 people die every day in the U.S. from influenza and pneumonia and almost 14 people a day perish due to food poisoning. But you don’t see any in-depth coverage of these epidemics.
Further, our servicemen and women are putting their lives on the line in action in Afghanistan every day, taking lives and leading the new war on terrorism. How this story has been replaced by the anthrax scare as the lead of the nightly news escapes me.
Meanwhile, the news has its collective dander up due to government restrictions on information about the war in Afghanistan and other restraints. Two dozen news organizations signed a joint grievance to “express our concern over the increasing restrictions by the United States government that limit news gathering and inhibit the free flow of information in the wake of the September 11 attack.” The statement was directed to the White House and Congress.
Detroit Free Press columnist Mike Wedland described the move best: “They sounded like the pampered elite that much of the public believes them to be.” (See full column here.)
Without question, the news media sets the tone for the national psyche. During the stock market boom of a couple years ago it convinced us that everyone was getting rich. This week it convinced us to be afraid of the mail for it likely will contain anthrax. The U.S. Postal Service handles 600 million pieces of mail a day and so far five have been found to contain anthrax. You do the math.
There are serious issues afoot regarding our national security. We need to concentrate more on the pursuit of those responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks and the collective strategy of defense against another attack. The anthrax scare is certainly a piece of that puzzle, but it’s only one piece. The national news media, with headlines like “Fear Factor” (Time) and “Anthrax: A Spreading Scare” (Newsweek) and in-depth lead stories on the nightly news programs, has blown it completely out of proportion. Doctors’ offices are jammed with people who think they have symptoms of anthrax. Public health agencies are scrambling to cover overtime costs to investigate thousands of false alarms across the country.
Unfortunately, we have to give the terrorists credit. They obviously knew that by targeting the news media with their bio-attack they would receive top billing and an effective way to deliver terror to every corner of the country.
So everyone, take a deep breath, and if you’re worried about your health these days, get a flu shot, prepare your food properly and drive carefully on the way home. Because you’re far more likely to fall victim to influenza, food poisoning and an auto accident than ever even knowing someone who gets anthrax.
I think the late night comedy “Daily Show” has it figured out. The other night it aired a segment called “America Freaks Out,” which reported a recent poll suggesting that “91 percent of Americans want mommy.”
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