Mission: Space tragedy

[wdwmagic]

I've noticed a lot of media bashing in some of these posts, and now I must defend it, since I'm a member of the press.

The reason every media outlet is reporting this is because everyone goes to Disney World. From all around the world, people go there. People take their children there. So if a child dies on one of the rides, no matter how it happened, it is news. We're not trying to sensationalize it and we're not trying to criticize Disney. We're saying there is a ride that has caused sickness and health problems before, and now someone has died after riding it. The stories I've read seem to have gone out of their way to imply that it wasn't Disney's fault. They've mentioned how he met the height requirement, how the ride was functioning properly. They're being fair here, folks.

I'd have to disagree. The vast majority of reporting has been listing how the ride is so intense it requires motion sickness bags and has sent 5 people to hospital with chest pains. That line seems to appear in everything I have read. Motion sickness bags are in the back of every airliner seat, but I dont see the media mentioning that everytime someone dies on an airliner (which is relatively common).

I am not saying all the media are sensationalising it, but a vast majority of them are in my opinion.

 

[lawyergirl77]

Big fat old Word to your post, Steve.

CNN was particularly repugnant this morning. (Mercifully, we don't get Fox News in Quebec, so I have been spared their tirades, yet again).

 

[The_CEO]

Well just like on news shows - Fox, CNN, and NBC, they mix their own opinions into the bag and stir up the viewers perspective.

 

[Slipknot]

Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!

I've noticed that you only agree or disagree with what people have said in this thread. Why not say what YOU want to? Why do you have to agree or disagree all the time in this thread? All I see you say here is "I agree 100%" or "You beat me to it" and now "Bravo, Bravo, Bravo." I know your feelings on this already, but you should really speak your own mind. Get YOUR OWN feelings off your chest. I'm not trying to start a fight or anything, just commenting on an observation. :wave:

 

[speck76]

I've noticed a lot of media bashing in some of these posts, and now I must defend it, since I'm a member of the press.

The reason every media outlet is reporting this is because everyone goes to Disney World. From all around the world, people go there. People take their children there. So if a child dies on one of the rides, no matter how it happened, it is news. We're not trying to sensationalize it and we're not trying to criticize Disney. We're saying there is a ride that has caused sickness and health problems before, and now someone has died after riding it. The stories I've read seem to have gone out of their way to imply that it wasn't Disney's fault. They've mentioned how he met the height requirement, how the ride was functioning properly. They're being fair here, folks.

I disagree

Of course, some media outlets do report the actual news, but others leave of certain points to make the story seem worse than it is.

One TV channels headline was "Boy KILLED at DisneyWorld"

The boy was not killed, he died, there is a big difference.

Some have reported that the ride has sent MANY people to the hospital, yet they have left out that 8.6 million people have ridden the attraction, and 5 or 6 have gone to the hospital, and those occured almost 2 years ago.

 

[sleepybear]

The vast majority of reporting has been listing how the ride is so intense it requires motion sickness bags and has sent 5 people to hospital with chest pains. That line seems to appear in everything I have read. Motion sickness bags are in the back of every airliner seat, but I dont see the media mentioning that everytime someone dies on an airliner (which is relatively common). QUOTE]

First, thank you for responding in a respectful manner. I love debating, as long as it doesn't get nasty and unruly.

I think that line is in the vast majority of stories because it's true. Also, I could be wrong on this, but I do think M:S is the only ride in the country that does come with sickness bags, so that is an interesting tidbit.

I know all the ways the media can overblow a story (The Michael Jackson trial) and underplay a story (No WMDs found in Iraq). In this case, I believe they're doing what they should be doing. A child dying at a park for families is something I think parents want to know about.

 

[Slipknot]

Some have reported that the ride has sent MANY people to the hospital, yet they have left out that 8.6 million people have ridden the attraction, and 5 or 6 have gone to the hospital, and those occured almost 2 years ago.

Not to mention that those people were held at the hospital for less than a day.

 

[ScrapIron]

Contributing factors?

OK, I hesitate to post this since I can't confirm it. It is copied from a post at www.tourguidemike.com , which is a subscription service, so most of you can't even confirm it's there. Their profile does show them in Pennsylvania, so I guess make of it what you will, and please don't shoot the messenger if it's not accurate.

I am very near to Sellersville. (about 20 minutes). The local news interviewed neighbors and friends that knew the family. The boy was born premature and has had health problems since. Everyone if very upset about this situation and the family is grateful for all well wishes. They are asking for privacy during their time of mourning.

Cheers.

 

[MichelleBelle]

The vast majority of reporting has been listing how the ride is so intense it requires motion sickness bags and has sent 5 people to hospital with chest pains. That line seems to appear in everything I have read. Motion sickness bags are in the back of every airliner seat, but I dont see the media mentioning that everytime someone dies on an airliner (which is relatively common). QUOTE]

First, thank you for responding in a respectful manner. I love debating, as long as it doesn't get nasty and unruly.

I think that line is in the vast majority of stories because it's true. Also, I could be wrong on this, but I do think M:S is the only ride in the country that does come with sickness bags, so that is an interesting tidbit.

I know all the ways the media can overblow a story (The Michael Jackson trial) and underplay a story (No WMDs found in Iraq). In this case, I believe they're doing what they should be doing. A child dying at a park for families is something I think parents want to know about.

Both points are excellent, but I think what Steve meant was that the media is maybe blowing things out of proportion or making it seem very extreme. Yes, some media outlets are giving good info, but others are taking that info and mixing it in with all these statements for which they don't provide any back detail such as how long ago the "many" other injuries occurred or how many people have ridden the ride to date vs. number of injuries. I agree that it's important for parents and everyone for that matter to know about things like this, but when it is reported out of context, then it needs to be corrected.

 

[KingStefan]

First, thank you for responding in a respectful manner. I love debating, as long as it doesn't get nasty and unruly.

I think that line is in the vast majority of stories because it's true. Also, I could be wrong on this, but I do think M:S is the only ride in the country that does come with sickness bags, so that is an interesting tidbit.

I know all the ways the media can overblow a story (The Michael Jackson trial) and underplay a story (No WMDs found in Iraq). In this case, I believe they're doing what they should be doing. A child dying at a park for families is something I think parents want to know about.

Let's be honest. That line is in the vast majority of stories to get people worked up. I saw it on this and other boards. After reading the article, people posted "I am on the forums all the time, and I had no idea that there was such a hugh health issue about this ride! That otherwise healty people had been hospitalized with heart problems after riding", and other wrong conclusions. If the articles were balanced, people would not get these wrong iimpressions.

Also, defend this caption from USA Today: "Fun ride turns deadly". And other headlines about the boy being "Killed". Just plain irresponsible.

 

[ssidiouss@mac.c]

I think everyone could be missing the great magical story here..

It is confirmed from neighbors in PA that the kid was born premature and had health problems ever since.

It is confirmed that the ride did not cause any trama..

It will probably be soon confirmed that he dies from natural causes..

Now.. imagine this kid was gonna die around this time anyway.. and put yourself in the kids shoes.. you have to die.. theres no escape from that..

So.. what better way to die as 4 year old boy.. in disney world on a ride going into space?! Now I'm older so I can think of a few better places to die (anna kournikova comes to mind) but at that age.. give me a mission to space in disney wold.

Im sure some people will say this is not sensitive or whatever.. but people die.. its horrible but true. All of us reading this will one day die as well.

So if this boy was going to die from natural causes at that date/time in history.. and there was no escaping it because his body was going to give out no matter what at that time.. what a perfect spot for a 4 year old boy.

I couldnt imagine a better place for me as a kid.. honestly.. epcot.. mission space.. blasting off. Then boom.. im in heaven? With Walt saying hello.

I mean really, he could have died in hall of presidents

 

[sleepybear]

Both points are excellent, but I think what Steve meant was that the media is maybe blowing things out of proportion or making it seem very extreme. Yes, some media outlets are giving good info, but others are taking that info and mixing it in with all these statements for which they don't provide any back detail such as how long ago the "many" other injuries occurred or how many people have ridden the ride to date vs. number of injuries. I agree that it's important for parents and everyone for that matter to know about things like this, but when it is reported out of context, then it needs to be corrected.

From what I know of the respected major news sources -- the AP, CNN, New York Times -- they do try to provide as much accurate back information as possible. Unfortunately, other media outlets then filter that, picking and choosing what they want to say. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, in general, the media seems to be doing a fair job. But there will always be bad apples that tend to sensationalize. (Insert your own hated newspaper/cable news channel here.)

 

[KingStefan]

I've noticed that you only agree or disagree ... I'm not trying to start a fight or anything, just commenting on an observation. :wave:

Thanks for the advice.

 

[wdwmagic]

I think that line is in the vast majority of stories because it's true. Also, I could be wrong on this, but I do think M:S is the only ride in the country that does come with sickness bags, so that is an interesting tidbit.

A child dying at a park for families is something I think parents want to know about.

It may be true that 5 people have had chest pains, and that there are motion sickness bags, but that fact is being spun by the media to suit a story they are trying to create.

With your point about MSpace being the only ride that features Sickness bags, that is true. However, one way of looking at that, is that Disney are the only company who care about guest safety and comfort and provide that facility should anyone get motion sickness. In every other park around the USA, where motion sickness is VERY common, there are no sickness bags, so people just vomit everywhere and over other people. Disney have been responsible about this, and made provision for motion sickness. That is now being rewarded by the media by them using that against Disney.

It just seems to me that the media are very keen to make something out of this, and are implying through their use of words, that MS is to blame.

 

[TheOneVader]

If this is on a talk radio show or on a call-in segment on the news, we all need to call in and give them an ear full on how they're full of BS.

 

[Laura]

It may be true that 5 people have had chest pains, and that there are motion sickness bags, but that fact is being spun by the media to suit a story they are trying to create.

With your point about MSpace being the only ride that features Sickness bags, that is true. However, one way of looking at that, is that Disney are the only company who care about guest safety and comfort and provide that facility should anyone get motion sickness. In every other park around the USA, where motion sickness is VERY common, there are no sickness bags, so people just vomit everywhere and over other people. Disney have been responsible about this, and made provision for motion sickness. That is now being rewarded by the media by them using that against Disney.

It just seems to me that the media are very keen to make something out of this, and are implying through their use of words, that MS is to blame.

I totally agree with you. It annoys the heck out of me reading that line in every article.

 

[sheryl2007]

How sad for the family, regardless of the circumstances surrounding his death, it is even sadder that this family's tragedy has set off a media circus. It seems the bigger, more popular you are, be it a company or a person, the more eager people are to see mud thrown in your face; carnivores comes to mind !! Disney WILL recover, the family NEVER will.

 

[MrNonacho]

Sigh, how is this the top story in a city three hours away?

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[speck76]

It may be true that 5 people have had chest pains, and that there are motion sickness bags, but that fact is being spun by the media to suit a story they are trying to create.

With your point about MSpace being the only ride that features Sickness bags, that is true. However, one way of looking at that, is that Disney are the only company who care about guest safety and comfort and provide that facility should anyone get motion sickness. In every other park around the USA, where motion sickness is VERY common, there are no sickness bags, so people just vomit everywhere and over other people. Disney have been responsible about this, and made provision for motion sickness. That is now being rewarded by the media by them using that against Disney.

It just seems to me that the media are very keen to make something out of this, and are implying through their use of words, that MS is to blame.

You beat me to it.....but I was going to make the same point.

 

[KingStefan]

From what I know of the respected major news sources -- the AP, CNN, New York Times -- they do try to provide as much accurate back information as possible. Unfortunately, other media outlets then filter that, picking and choosing what they want to say. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, in general, the media seems to be doing a fair job. But there will always be bad apples that tend to sensationalize. (Insert your own hated newspaper/cable news channel here.)

Then in this case every single report that copied the AP wire report filtered out the same information about the 8.6 million people who have ridden without hospital visit, the cause of the chest pains of the six people who visited hospitals (indigestion? anxiety? pre-existing condition? although I have to admit that it was reported that they had no "serious injury"), and a comparison to other activities, such as swimming at hotel pools, driving on I-4, etc.

Not likely that every single one filtered the info in exactly the same way. It is more likely that the original AP report was accurate, but biased in it's presentation of the facts. Only a little bit sensationalist, but sensationalist nevertheless. Although, I must admit, usually the AP is more responsible.

And please, CNN and NY Times may be "respected" and "major news sources", but don't even try to argue that they are unbiased. CNN gets people to watch by being controversial and loving it, and NY Times is so far to the left you can't even stack them up at the newsstand without them falling over.

Something that I think that many people don't realize is that it is very easy to be accurate in reporting, and still present a biased viewpoint. Many people read an article that has an AP byline and assume that it's presenting a balanced story, because the AP has a reputation for beign accurate. Then they draw incorrect conclusions, as seen by their quoting the source inaccurately. They would not do that if the article gave them the correct impression in the first place, which is, IMHO, what the news media ought to strive for, rather than ratings. But that's not going to happen, is it?