***A school assignment but the topic is a current one that concerns me. As always feel free to comment here on on my facebook.***
The 33 Chilean trapped miners who were rescued on October 12 is a story that has been covered quiet extensively across the world. I wanted to know why. What was it about this article that made it so significant? What was it about this event that made so many people feel involved? Let’s examine an article written by Emily Brown and Kate Patterson for USA Today that gives a brief description about what happened and those involved. The article Titled “Thrilling Chilean Miners Rescue was made For TV” begins by giving an account of the rescue that is comparable to that of the moon landing, reporting that it had viewers transfixed at the rolling climax of happy reunions. It seems considering the made –for- cable TV stories of today that this was on another level. Rich Hanley, a journalism professor at Quinnipiac University, is quoted as saying “you didn’t need to speak English or Spanish to understand what you were seeing.” The article continues on describing the waiting families, the passionate nation and it resourceful team; all fueling the anxiety of the event and concern for the miners. The article comes to a closing examining the aspects of the event that led to such a sensational news story: The great story line of a genuine human struggle, suspense of the unknown and a cast of vibrant characters. The article end with describing how the Chilean miners have been transformed from victims to heroes and that the transition will not only affect them but their families as well.
So, I’ll be the first to admit that it’s a compelling human interest news story about amazing effort and very sweet success. 33 miners, who managed to stay alive and in good relations for close to 70 days is an epic feat. It reminds humans that we are able to coexist peacefully even in the most desolate conditions. A tale of struggle, hope and triumph over the most undefeatable odds. But truth does not only rest on the surface, if you peel at it layers like an onion begin to come apart and reveal a buried truth. One truth being that in any non 1st world country, working conditions for miners are often disregarded to help save cost. In fact in as recent as 2006 a mine in Chile collapsed after an explosion that left 70 men trapped, 2 would die. Even in the case of a global power such as China who also has the highest fatality rate for miners of any country, conditions are not safe as we would like to believe. Also in 2006, US mining deaths doubled. But the truth doesn’t end with being buried alive. Beyond this terrible way to die, long term side effects are still present within the mining community especially that of the black lung within the coal mining industry. China reports that there is an average of 10,000 new cases of black lung or chronic lung cases related to mining occurring every year. These all are facts as well. Facts about preventable injuries and deaths that are caused by humans and not by falling debris or acts of nature. However, they will more than likely not receive anywhere near the dramatic light as that of the rescue of the miners. This mining issue should not be taken lightly and not as a story of overnight celberitism due to human struggle. But, more that an avoidable tragedy occurred due to low rate working conditions, almost costing the lives of 33 innocent men. Beyond this, millions Chilean pesos have been spent, families shaken, and the possible arrival of long terms physiological and physiological effects of the miners. The article reinforces this backwards ideology reporting that the Chilean media decided not to focus on any of the negative aspects of this tragic event, but to stay focused only on the positive features of the unraveling events. This approach to media coverage does nothing, but undermines the Chilean people. Further this disposition of contorting tragic events as a form of entertainment rather than informative news story only helps to create a culture that is ignorant to political and industrial crimes and malpractices.
