Normalisation Of British Serviceman Killed

[MaroonMan4]

So, this is it then - the media/UK public have now 'normalised' UK Serviceman deaths over seas. I got back in from a night on the town to see that the sad news was number 3 behind who sends who to which schools and Kylie only singing for one hour! By 0800 there was nothing on the news about the deaths and relegated on the BBC web site to a side heading.
So the two deaths of these lad overnight (UK time) has virtually gone unnoticed by the majority of the UK public.
I believe that we are reaching that stage with two medium scale conflicts and deaths now a regular occurence where British society has normalised it and therefore it no longers registers on their 'fcuk ometre' scale as they tuck into their Sunday lunches.
From a PPrune perspective I am surprised that no comment was made on the Prime Ministers 'Little Britain' speach in HMS Albion this week - or are we too bored as well to comment, type, rant?

[cooheed]

Have to agree with you there MM4. Always initially broadcast as 'Breaking News' but quickly assigned to 'in other news'. Always heartbreaking news to the families and friends of those involved though.. :(

[Chugalug2]

The only reason that the PM prefaces his PM Questions with a tribute to the deceased and condolences for their NoK is that it is HoC procedure to do so. He doesn't like the Great British Public being reminded of the cost in lives of his foreign adventures, nor does he attend the repatriation of their remains. Spin requires that photo ops and word bites are not tarnished with such reminders. That this man has the gall to call for even more unspecified sacrifice in the future based on the B&B WoT theory is a mark of his shamelessness.
Let us not forget also the Flight Safety implications for our military aircrew of such operations (see, it's easy!)

[DEL Mode]

Viewing the BBC News website last night I was a little bit put off by the words "the MoD has confirmed that two serviceman had been killed".

Confirming to who?

If, as the BBC reported, the NOK had been informed, then should not the MoD be notifying the world, not leaving it to the "meja" to ease it out like some sordid detail.

It makes me sick that Kylie going off stage has upset someone’s day. So f***ing what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rant Off

[Brian Dixon]

I sent an e-mail to the BBC News website saying "Two people killed committing criminal damage is headline news, whilst two servicemen killed in service to their country is relegated to the minor headlines - shame on you BBC".

Won't change much, but it made me feel better.

Before anyone jumps down my throat, I acknowledge that the loss of any loved one is a tragic event. It was the priorities of the circumstances that I was attempting to highlight.

Brian

[Faithless]

yeap, tis a sad day. What got my goat was that dick from oasis gobbing off about it was our choice to join up so stop moaning when some one dies..... How dare he......What ever the colour of our uniform, it is a very sad day for one and all when a service person is killed. It is a pure fact that the sacrifice of our service men and women allows that idiot to contiune to write and sing his crap songs. The same thing was when George Best departed the big world of beer. Dont get me wrong he was a legend, but all the TV stuff of his funeral and life was over the top. At the same time I recall a large loss of our lads and lasses, what did they get?........ a one liner on the news.......We slag off the Americans but when it comes to their service men and women they get the respect they have earnt and deserve.

[jockspice]

In the same vein, when the bodies from the Lynx that went down in May were brought into Brize, the BBC cut away from live coverage of the repatriation to follow the A380 landing at Heathrow. Instant tourettes ensued from all in the room. :mad: :mad: :mad:
Any of the media who trawl this forum for their next scoop care to comment? Or are you rightly hanging your heads in shame?

[cooheed]

Sky did the same on the Nimrod Repat. Showed the Navy and then Army coffin, then cut to 'normal' news. Came back when RAF coffin number 9 or 10 was coming off................ disgraceful really...

[Il Duce]

Perhaps what we need to do is "transfer" the Iraqistan and Afghan conflicts a bit closer to home so that Joe Public feels more threatened. Maybe then the latest comings and goings of "celebrities", over-payed footballers and drug-riddled rock stars would take a back seat in favour of more important news concerning real lives (and deaths). Your average man on the street does not know or care too much about the fate of the British armed forces because the conlicts are so far away from home and the meeja consider Kylie's throat infection more relevant than activities in Kandahar (for which Uncle Tony must be very pleased).
"Soldiers dead in Iraq, mate? Nothing to do with me. Anyway, did you watch Big Brother last night? Brilliant!"
If we go to war with an enemy closer to home (eg France, now there's a thought) and start conscription or National Service people will probably sit up and take a bit more notice.
Now will somebody pass me a step-ladder so that I can get down off this high horse.

[BellEndBob]

ITV News ran the story as their lead last night. Included footage of the Marines attacking a hilltop position. Pretty good overall.

You can't blame Joe Public, all they see from these wars is increased security, less freedom, more fear and bugger all end in sight.

If you want public support in this day and age then put Soldiers at every entry/exit point in the UK enforcing the law, put Sailors at sea protecting our apoproaches from drug/people smuggling (and our fishing grounds) and put the RAF in the air policing our National skies doing much the same thing.

Send us oversea to fight dodgy wars started by thick and dangerous politicians and you get the situation we are in now.

[garp]

One of the highlights of the rare Sundays I'm at home is reading the Sunday Times over breakfast. I nearly missed the small article on page two which told about the death of the British serviceman, thought it was extremely unappropriate and lacking respect. This from a Belgian guy living near Brussels.

[orca]

I agree with all the above. If one can take a positive out of it it has to be this. That those of us who understand, it still means everything it ever did - every time you hear of a British service death, in any circumstance. I don't forgive for one second the public nonchalance, or the utterly corrupt behaviour of 'our' politicians. But I, and all those people that matter to me, will do my utmost to remember every damn one of them.

[peppermint_jam]

I agree with all the above. If one can take a positive out of it it has to be this. That those of us who understand, it still means everything it ever did - every time you hear of a British service death, in any circumstance. I don't forgive for one second the public nonchalance, or the utterly corrupt behaviour of 'our' politicians. But I, and all those people that matter to me, will do my utmost to remember every damn one of them.


Sage words well spoken, coudn't agree more.

[gar170]

One of the papers today had on page 2 a article the width of the page about a local TV presenter being caught adjusting her bra with a statement from a viewer saying she saw belly.page 3 small paragraph Soldier dies in Afghan.
If this is the best respect they can offer maybe they should not bother at all.

[moggiee]

If, as the BBC reported, the NOK had been informed, then should not the MoD be notifying the world, not leaving it to the "meja" to ease it out like some sordid detail.
How are the MoD supposed to inform the world other than by releasing details to the media? When I last looked the MoD does not own TV, radio and newspaper media which broadcast to the general public.

[Wrathmonk]

Whilst NOK may have been informed the MOD takes their wishes into account before releasing names. Some ask for 24hr grace period to allow them to inform their own friends and families some ask for the name not to be released. Whilst I understand the viewpoint that it may seem like a British Servicemans death is no longer news, the MOD and the Media may be respecting the NOK wishes by keeping it low key or indeed no news. Some people wish to grieve in private and don't want names and pictures spread across the front pages or be a news lead item.

Anyway, back to media bashing ....

[Tigs2]

Normalisation! definitly.
PMs question time, live at the moment. Bliar kicks off the session by saying 'sorry to say three more Brit servicemen killed etc etc, gives names and says we are very proud of them' Lots of Neighing and Baa's from the house (i hadn't even heard this bit of news). First MP stands up to offer a question, says 'i back up what the PM just said, now about you promising to minimise queues in the NHS'!:mad: Next MP stands up' Prime Minister do you think it is inappropriate that there may be racist comments being broadcast on Celebrity Big Brother':mad: :mad: The MPs who make up the UK Kindergarten are not even on the same planet let alone working for this country.

Meanwhile, during these precedings, despite the death of servicemen the BBC have a big red 'BREAKING NEWS - Celebrity Big Brother' strapline saying 'Gordon Brown says we are proud to be tolerant and fair'!!

Normalisation? sadly yes!
Insanity and out of touch with real issues(both the MPs and the BBC) yes!

[Front Seater]

I am in absolute amazement that Channel 4's Big Brother house is more news worthy than our Armed Forces over seas.
Absolutely no idea of what OUR young men and women are doing to supposedly protect OUR society.
Is it really worth it? Do they appreciate it? Would National Service not stem a recruiting/retention problem but also let the British Public know how their armed forces were being used.
This may educate them and those that go into positions of political power on how to use Her Majesties' Forces around the world.
As you have probably gathered, I am not media bashing but making more of a point on British society that fuels the media industry (I wouldn't write a story - whatever my moral conscience - if it didn't sell papers). It is a sad reflection on the British public not necessarily the media.

[PICKS135]

The media are now treating service personnel being killed in Afghanistan and Iraq, the same as they did in the latter times of the troubles in Northen Ireland.
To begin with a serviceman/woman being killed or injured is big news. However after about 10 or 11, its just normal mundane news to them.