The good ones in the potty, the bad ones in the crop. That's exactly what you could say about the issue of monkeypox. Basically, this point is about the media reporting on the topic of monkeypox (we already provided information on the topic ).

It is a topic that, especially after two years of the pandemic, is inciting and inflaming the battered people again. Certainly, many media outlets report on this topic in a balanced and objective manner. There is a lot to say about it and a lot to explain, but apparently that is not enough, especially in the area of ​​tabloid media. No, it hasn't gone unnoticed by me how violent headlines sometimes scare people away and drive them (specifically?) crazy.

The big German and Austrian tabloid media in particular are taking a strong stance here. Terms like quarantine are used. The monkeypox is depicted on a meta level with the plague or the coronavirus, and sometimes a (not superficial) AIDS metaphor is also created. Of course, this serves to generate clicks or viewer numbers. This also helps the media stay in the conversation with their headlines. Does it matter whether what is written in the headlines is true? Of course not from an economic point of view. Because monkeypox is obviously a welcome and great topic for generating new readers, new excitement and, in the end, new money.

Monkeypox: A Thematic Blessing?

The corona pandemic is actually dead. It has been dead for a long time, at least thematically, especially since we have halfway summer temperatures again and the virus will be in retreat by autumn. The Ukrainian war is (unfortunately) already dead in terms of content, as we have been getting used to it for some time. This is not meant in a bad way, but with all major media topics there is a long-term habituation effect, as long as these topics are not dynamic. And the war in Ukraine is currently not dynamic in the media, as not much new is happening that can be marketed in the media.

And now comes the monkeypox. Monkeypox, which is actually nothing really relevant, is completely exaggerated in its reporting, especially by the tabloid media. It's a topic that basically only spreads because of itself. Because if we take a closer look, we will of course find a large amount of sensible reporting on the topic. Many reputable doctors have spoken out on the subject of monkeypox and it is clear that we do not have to expect a quarantine or even any kind of lockdown. We don't have the same level or the same reasons as when the coronavirus emerged.

An objective look is necessary!

Let's look at the issue of monkeypox from different levels. Let's first look at the social media level and the false reports that are circulating. We know this phenomenon from previous so-called event-related situations. This means that whenever something important happens that affects us as a society, there are false reports and conspiracy theories among users on social media.

We also have the same thing on the subject of monkeypox. There is a lot of nonsense and speculation among the user contributions. As with the coronavirus, very identical false reports are now appearing again (which, by the way, was to be expected!). This false report speaks of a laboratory-created virus, of governments pushing a virus here, or of a bioweapon. Things get particularly strange when connections are drawn between the coronavirus and monkeypox.

Suddenly anti-vaccination opponents are back on the scene, who have tended to get lost in media reporting and self-promotion in recent weeks. They no longer had or received any attention. But the issue of monkeypox is now a blessing for them!

That group can redefine itself again through monkeypox and cause a panic that basically doesn't exist. The topic of vaccination, which has long since disappeared and been buried, can once again be dragged into the focus of discussion. This dead horse can be brought out of obscurity again without it having any relevance at all. It is a self-legitimization of a non-existent topic.

The pathetic role of the tabloid media

In a further step we take a look at the tabloid media. In the past, tabloid media have always shown great affinity when it comes to socially relevant issues in terms of their extreme dramatization. In the current context, classic framing and certain wording from the corona pandemic are linked to the topic of monkeypox. I'm talking about terms like quarantine , vaccination or pandemic . These are all three terms that create a very specific image and a very specific attitude in our heads.

We are dealing with emotional topics here that we associate with very specific phases and emotions from the last two years. And that's exactly what it's all about. It's about us becoming emotionally attached. The more emotional a headline, headline or suggestion is, the more people are inclined to consume this form of reporting. A tabloid media that suggests in this situation that we are facing the next pandemic with the next compulsory vaccination generates a lot of clicks on social media. And of course these clicks also mean a lot of reach. And that reach ultimately means a lot of money.

And now we see the actual goal that it should be about. Heat people up in order to bind them to your own reporting in order to generate a lot of money. Forgive me for the expression, but an easy-to-understand presentation sometimes requires clear language. What is happening in various tabloid media is not only irresponsible, it is actually absurd.

Monkeypox: The result of nothing being learned!

But we shouldn't just look at tabloid media, because on the other hand, it is particularly sad that after two years of the pandemic, after many years of wild social media reporting, after an enormous hunt for likes by many media outlets via social media Readers on social media still don't understand how the game works.

Worse still, after many lectures, after many appearances, after so many interviews in which people keep saying how important media skills and media literacy are, nothing has changed in all these years. This means that in reality no one wants to change anything, but this game simply continues to be played.

Whoever has the clicks has the power and the money. Apparently it's not about anything else. Neither in the reporting of many media outlets nor on social media in general. Attention is the currency that pays off. Whoever gets attention gets the reach, whoever has the reach can market it well. Monkeypox itself plays a minor role. It could be any other illness. It just has to fit into the narrative of the headline story, then it can be marketed well.

Lots of encouraging content

I would like to provide a small, conciliatory conclusion. Fortunately, there is factual and sober reporting in many large, classic, serious media outlets. There, no pigs are driven through the village, but rather experts are interviewed and their statements are presented soberly and objectively. We read in reputable reports that there is no reason to be overly concerned. Transmission only occurs through direct physical contact. There are also medications and a vaccination is also possible. The course is mild. And unlike the coronavirus, no one can become infected “just like that” because an infected person is nearby. Otherwise, it makes sense to look at the RKI description .

At this point I can only repeat clearly what I regularly say in my lectures. Whenever a headline sounds extremely dramatic, very one-sided, very exaggerated, when strong emotions are built up, then we should all be careful. Then we should compare who else provides information on this topic and, above all, how it is written elsewhere. Informative reporting basically answers the simple questions about who, how, what, when and where. Emotions don't play a role; interpretations always come at the end.

And I can therefore only ask all readers not to be misled by emotional and headline-oriented reporting, but rather to look for sober, factual and informative content. And rather I ask the media landscape: Leave people alone! You know exactly what feelings you are playing with. Stop it! Thanks.


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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )