Gruesome newspaper pictures

[DawnHRD]

First of all, can I say that this is not a criticism, just a genuine enquiry on a difference in culture that I genuinely can't get my head around.

Why do Thai newspapers have so many gruesome & gory pictures on the front pages? I use a lot of old newspapers for the dogs & so, see a lot of Thai newspapers. I'm very often shocked by the number of graphic pictures of the dead & dying or badly injured that they openly display. Why does this happen? Isn't it upsetting for the relatives?

In a culture that is so afraid of ghosts and (morally) isn't comfortable with open displays of nudity, it seems strange (to me, a foreigner) that there is such a gruesome interest in others' gory demises or misfortunes.

Can anyone explain it to me?

[Norseman]

Some time ago I read "somewhere" that some Thai authority wanted a change of this bad frontpages.
He wanted the Thai newspapers to make a more pleasant and friendly presentation of the news.
Photos of injured and blood-stained people should be avoided.
Maybe they have appointed a fast working committee who can implement the new rules in 2020.

[shakin' boxcar joe]

Although those pictures have never bothered me from the blood and guts point of view, they have always seemed like a gross invasion of a persons privacy.

The Thai newsbroadcasts on TV are worse , cameras follow victims and relatives into hospital emergency rooms after accidents and crimes and film resuscitation procedures and the grieving of relatives.

Some pixellation is used now to block faces and mutilation , but that just seems to put ones imagination into overtime.

As to why do they have them on the front pages ..... well the answer is easy ..... they sell papers ...... we all have some rubbernecker genes in our biological make up.

[shakin' boxcar joe]

Multiple posts !

Dont know what happened there .

[Norseman]

Multiple posts !

Dont know what happened there .

My guess is that you, at the time of your posting, had a dead-slow connection . If you several times press the Submit button you will generate a lot of posts. It could of course be some gasps from the server but I doubt it.

[Wanderlust]

sbj,
I've deleted them for ya! (just in case anyone new to the thread thought you had gone mad!).

[shakin' boxcar joe]

Thanks , and yes it was a slow connection , its one of those daft automatic responses to hit the key a few times as if that will improve the connection.

[Guess]

sbj,
I've deleted them for ya! (just in case anyone new to the thread thought you had gone mad!).

Of course all the old posters know already that he has gone mad.

[Guess]

Why do Thai newspapers have so many gruesome & gory pictures on the front pages? I use a lot of old newspapers for the dogs & so, see a lot of Thai newspapers. I'm very often shocked by the number of graphic pictures of the dead & dying or badly injured that they openly display. Why does this happen? Isn't it upsetting for the relatives?

Can anyone explain it to me?

I will try but my information has come piecmeal from many Thai people who all differ in their opinions. Anyway there does seem to be a common thread.

The gory picutures ecpecially those depicting motor accidents are intended to show the horror that can result of accidents on the raods in the hope that people get more aware and maybe will be a little more cautious.

The system was tried in France in a Drink Driving Camapign. In that case thought the accidents were staged and actors were used. However the images were so shocking that it did have an effect. Some later less graphic campaigns have been used to some effect.

The problem is in Thailand is they do not have a budget for such campaigns and the ral thing has to be used.
Of course it must add to the distress of the families but on the other hand it may lead to less deaths on the road.

I still believ the tightening and enforcement of laws ls the way forward. Most of these campaigns generate cash aswell.

[gaijin]

Sometimes I think that western media is too sanitised, and that the real message or significance of news events is often masked by this sanitised version of the world.

There was a documentary recently on “the man in the pictureâ€

[seasider]

First of all, can I say that this is not a criticism, just a genuine enquiry on a difference in culture that I genuinely can't get my head around.

Why do Thai newspapers have so many gruesome & gory pictures on the front pages? I use a lot of old newspapers for the dogs & so, see a lot of Thai newspapers. I'm very often shocked by the number of graphic pictures of the dead & dying or badly injured that they openly display. Why does this happen? Isn't it upsetting for the relatives?

In a culture that is so afraid of ghosts and (morally) isn't comfortable with open displays of nudity, it seems strange (to me, a foreigner) that there is such a gruesome interest in others' gory demises or misfortunes.

Can anyone explain it to me?

It's a good question. However, it isn't just a Thai phenomena. Dawn, I remember you have lived in Hong Kong so perhaps you remember similar issues with local Chinese newspapers there. In fact the local population in HK have similar issues with regard to ghosts and nudity. Must be a common thread here - just not able to put it together atm

I guess pornographic ghost movies are a no no unless you throw in some gratuitous violence?

[DawnHRD]

Guess,

I would see the point if it were just traffic accidents, but you also see murders (shootings, stabbings etc), machinery accidents and suicides. My father took his life in Bangkok a few years ago. He jumped from a height. One Thai newspaper had the picture of his body, an ID picture they could only have got from the police & a completely misleading account of what had happened, which had no relation to the facts. The "Western" media (Bangkok Post) contacted us to see if they could do a story, we said no, and (very honourably) they didn't print a thing. Knowing the distress we suffered due to that newspaper, my stomach twists every time I see similar, thinking of another family going through what we did.

Gaijin, the above is why I don't think Western media should be any more intrusive than they are. There is always a family, somewhere...

seasides - good points! You're absolutely right, a lot of parallels can be drawn between the HK Chinese attitudes and the Thai ones. Wonder if it's an Asia wide phenomenon? Are Muslim Asian countries the same?

[Rider]

Guess,

I would see the point if it were just traffic accidents, but you also see murders (shootings, stabbings etc), machinery accidents and suicides. My father took his life in Bangkok a few years ago. He jumped from a height. One Thai newspaper had the picture of his body, an ID picture they could only have got from the police & a completely misleading account of what had happened, which had no relation to the facts. The "Western" media (Bangkok Post) contacted us to see if they could do a story, we said no, and (very honourably) they didn't print a thing. Knowing the distress we suffered due to that newspaper, my stomach twists every time I see similar, thinking of another family going through what we did.

Gaijin, the above is why I don't think Western media should be any more intrusive than they are. There is always a family, somewhere...

seasides - good points! You're absolutely right, a lot of parallels can be drawn between the HK Chinese attitudes and the Thai ones. Wonder if it's an Asia wide phenomenon? Are Muslim Asian countries the same?

Yeah theres a strong case for and against both sides. On the one hand molly coddling people from the harsh realities of the world has always seemed to me a bit too much like nanny stateness.
But on the other, as Dawn has clearly highlighted its the families who will endure hell if privacy is invaded. Its this reason I believe that the Western Media goes the way it does. On the other hand the thai mentality of being falalistic and accepting ones fate could be a reason for the 'in-your-face' Media photography.

[The understudy]

I thuink I can give a prticial explanation of why Thai Newspaers show those guesome Pics. that you See in the Thai Newspapers and on Thai Television News.

In cases of Accidents involving drunk driving showing thoese gruesome pictures should deter people from driving under the influence of Alc. I must admid that has little effect on my friends who often drive drunk and some act out of ignorance saying:"Ahh that could never happen to me"
Uhh Yes nad showing those Victims from shootings or murders should have a Psychological Impact on the Perpitrators of such crimes to surrender themselves but Thai crime Perps as I call them are pretty "Chicken"type of Peasonallity they rather escape and hide rather turn themselves in to the crimes they have committed.
I would like to say these News hungry public demand that they deliver News in Pictures or in writng and pictures say more than 1000 words.
Some Tv Stations are improving and Blurr the Victim out in the Newsoiece to not to disturb the privacy of of the wiever which happens to be a family watching the News while having Dinner!
We Thai's contradict in many things that's just said!

[Guess]

Guess,

I would see the point if it were just traffic accidents, but you also see murders (shootings, stabbings etc), machinery accidents and suicides.

I think rider has answered for me. I beleive the same applies whether it ne accidental or deliberate acts of violences. There is certainly a case for both arguments.

In the West studies have found that by televising certain events (e.g. the stoning of police vehicles by teenagers in Northern Ireland) the problem is accentuated. THe BBC and ITV when discovering the rise decided not to show scens and the proactices stopped. The same philosophy has been tried with varying degrees of success in England, Holland and Italy with regards to football hooliganism. But of course this may not apply to all crimes and publication of the gory details of serial killers has shown to have the opposite effect with them trying to outdo each other.

I do believe the statement that when victim's families are involved a little tact should be used.

At the end of the day newspapers do their best to sell newspapaers to keep the advertisers happy. If they feel that showing photos of someone who has just been shot of had an horrendous motorcycle accident will sell their paper then they will do it.

In England and Denmark the size of the girls tits on page 3 is far more important for their readers.