Media coverage and exposure to images of terrorist events result in significant psychological outcomes to viewers. Indirect exposure to torturous and tormenting images of disastrous events often leaves people nursing long-term mental and emotional health problems. Literature reviews of various research findings have established that there is a direct association between disaster television viewing and psychological cases, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, substance use, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress (PTS) (Nævdal et al., 2016).
For example, the news coverage of the unimaginable September 11 attacks left American citizens in a state of vulnerability and constant fear. Despite the United States being considered a proud and safe nation, the attacks confirmed that no country or people are invincible. The brutality nature of the attacks and the massive deaths that resulted left waves of chilling stress reactions and panic among people (Nævdal et al., 2016). Media coverage of deadliest disasters often leaves people nursing inconceivable psychological health effects. In 2005, the Gulf Coast of the United States of America was struck by Hurricane Katrina – the deadliest disaster of modern time. More than 1,500 people lost their lives, and property worth more than $120 billion was damaged. Research studies have shown that people who watched graphic images and videos of the dead and injured victims of attacks covered by the media end up experiencing acute stress symptoms, feelings of uncertainty, and fear of new attacks (Nævdal et al., 2016).
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Studies suggest that it has almost become a new normal for people to experience adverse psychological health effects, especially after the occurrence of a brutal attack. Through media coverage, accessibility to information concerning the death of loved ones, the cruel nature of attacks, and loss suffered by the bereaved are enhanced. The aftermath of these attacks results in elevated levels of PTSD, depression, or anxiety among particular people in the general population directly or indirectly hit by these attacks (Nævdal et al., 2016).
Reference
Nævdal, R., Gravdahl, H. W., Laberg, J. C., & Dyregrov, K. (2016). Should the population limit its exposure to media coverage after a terrorist attack? Routledge.
