Is It Ethical
Do you even bother to wonder anymore,
When you look at the news,
Or do you just chuckle to yourself,
About the gullibility of some.
Have you stopped asking yourself,
Now you know getting the answer,
Could take years,
And lots of tears.
With the answer not making one iota of difference,
Except that your card could now be marked.
Is it ethical for headlines to be attention grabbers only,
That can produce violent reactions,
Unintended consequences,
And Totally misrepresent the article it is steering one to.
Should the headline writers be given a crash course in human nature,
With many only reading the headlines
Looking at the pretty gruesome pictures,
And ditching the story they are supposedly promoting.
Wouldn't it be cheaper to just print the headlines. It would save a lot of paper, And we could use the wood to build more houses.
With kickbacks more numerous than goals kicked in a season, when the caption - watch this - is placed only above certain articles do you even wonder if people pay to have that above their article.
Is it ethical. By today's standards probably. By yesterday's standards no.
But if you are still asking yourself questions, ask yourself this.
Are misleading headlines dangerous and do they bring out emotions better left in check. And is there evidence of violent reactions to headlines that spark controversy and should those responsible for them be aware of the unintended consequences.
My one consolation here is,
That poets have more depth of character,
And can read between the lines,
As well as the lines themselves,
Can feel the balance in anything written,
And don't believe that many pretty pictures can paint a thousand words.
Copyright © David Smith | Year Posted 2022
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