In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, there seems to be a growing consensus that the storm was overblown by the media.
As the skies clear, it’s looks like the East Coast suffered the typical property damage, flooding, and loss of life that comes with a Category 1 hurricane.
What failed to materialize, however, was the storm of ‘biblical proportions’ predicted by the media. Even when it was clear the storm was weakening, news anchors were reluctant to report the less than impressive facts.
Meida critic Howard Kurtz notes the following exchange:
“Really, Brian?” she asked. Hadn’t Irene technically still been a hurricane when it came ashore in New York an hour earlier? “Can’t we still go with that?”
No, Norcross said.
I disagree with Kurtz, who blames government officials putting on a political show for the media.
Prior to press conferences from local officials, media reports as early as Thursday raised the alarm and expectations for an apocalyptic storm, as citizens grew increasingly worried.
By Friday, even President Obama ended his vacation early to appear fully engaged with the oncoming storm, leaving his family behind.
In hindsight government officials and emergency clean up crews can be exonerated for their “better safe than sorry” attitude. In a post-Katrina environment, it’s more important than ever for local officials to take hurricane threats seriously.
Media outlets, however, deserve criticism. Once it became obvious that the storm was weakening, news anchors and reporters seemed to defy these reports in order to justify their initial over-reaction.
UPDATE: Newsbuster’s Noel Sheppard notes George Will said the following on ABC’s ‘This Week’
What do you think? Do you feel mislead by media hysteria? Let us know in the comments below:
