The Thrilling News of the Missing Submarine Captivates the World, While Tragic Refugee Shipwrecks Near Greece Are Ignored

Five people in a missing submarine have captured the attention of the world, becoming a topic of conversation that we can’t seem to stop talking about. However, the latest refugee shipping disaster off Greece, where hundreds of people lost their lives, doesn’t seem to fascinate us in the same way. This stark contrast in interest raises the question: why does the news about the submarine seem more alive than the tragedy of the refugee crisis?

The news about the missing submarine has all the ingredients of a thrilling Netflix series. It is a matter of life or death, with a cliffhanger: will they be okay? It is a race against time, as the people in the vessel have limited oxygen. Furthermore, the location of the submarine near the evocative Titanic adds to the intrigue.

In contrast, the refugee shipping disaster near Greece is not a new occurrence. While it is undoubtedly tragic, similar incidents have happened many times before. The novelty of the submarine situation may explain why it captures our attention more than the repeated tragedies of the refugee crisis.

However, experts believe there are other factors at play. Writer and cultural psychologist Keyvan Shahbazi suggests that people are more likely to worry about groups they can identify with, rather than those they have little or no empathy for. He points out that Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands are welcomed with open arms, while refugees from countries like Afghanistan and Sudan are often refused. This same mechanism may explain why there is more interest in the submarine than the boating accident.

Shahbazi also highlights how we process information differently. When it comes to refugees, many people deal with information in an associative way, bringing up negative images from their memory. This is because refugees are often seen as “the other” rather than one of us. Media coverage also contributes to these negative associations, as reports of refugee-related issues often focus on the problems caused by a few individuals, influencing our general image of refugees.

To combat these negative associations, Shahbazi suggests that people should talk to refugees themselves and become aware of the news items they read. The more we get to know “the other” in real life, the greater the chance that negative associations will diminish.

Media scientist Reza Kartosen-Wong adds that news values, such as perceived cultural proximity, influence the news choices made by editors. There is a tendency to assume that people in Europe and the US share the same cultural norms and values as us, while refugees from other regions, like Syria, are seen as different. However, this alleged cultural proximity may not always hold true, as evidenced by the differences in laws and practices between countries.

Kartosen-Wong also notes that our fascination with celebrities and people with prestige contributes to the attention given to the missing submarine. The presence of British billionaire Hamish Harding and prominent British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood among the occupants of the submarine adds to its news value.

While established media often focus on the same people and countries, online news providers via social media are successful in covering topics that are not determined by traditional news values. There is a demand for diverse news, especially from young audiences.

NU.nl, a Dutch news platform, acknowledges the challenge of covering the refugee problem from different angles. They strive to include their visitors in the larger story and highlight the significance of each drowned refugee as a development to which people still have no answer. They are also making efforts to speak to former boat refugees who now live in the Netherlands, providing a more personal perspective on the issue.

In conclusion, the news about the missing submarine captures our attention due to its thrilling nature, novelty, and relatability. However, experts suggest that our interest in the submarine and lack of fascination with the refugee crisis may also stem from our tendency to worry more about groups we can identify with and the negative associations we have with refugees. Media coverage and news values further contribute to these dynamics. To foster empathy and understanding, it is important to engage with refugees directly and challenge our preconceived notions.

What role does personal identification with a group play in the level of fascination towards a news story

Diversely-captured journalists’ attention worldwide, five people in a missing submarine have become a captivating topic of conversation. Surprisingly, the recent refugee shipping disaster off Greece, where hundreds lost their lives, hasn’t sparked the same level of fascination. This stark contrast in interest raises the question: why does news about the submarine hold greater allure than the tragedy of the refugee crisis?

The news about the missing submarine possesses all the elements of a thrilling Netflix series. It’s a matter of life or death, with a cliffhanger: will they survive? Racing against time, the people inside the vessel have limited oxygen. Moreover, the submarine’s proximity to the evocative Titanic adds to the intrigue.

On the other hand, the refugee shipping disaster near Greece is not a new occurrence. Despite being undeniably tragic, similar incidents have happened repeatedly in the past. The novelty of the submarine situation could explain why it captures our attention more than the recurring tragedies of the refugee crisis.

However, experts point out that there are other factors in play. Keyvan Shahbazi, a writer and cultural psychologist, suggests that people are more likely to be concerned about groups they can identify with, rather than those they have little or no empathy for. He highlights how Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands are welcomed warmly, while refugees from Afghanistan and Sudan face rejection. This same mechanism may contribute to the greater interest in the submarine rather than the boating accident.

Shahbazi also emphasizes that people process information differently. When it comes to refugees, many individuals tend to associate them with negative images from their memory. This is because refugees are often perceived as “the other” rather than one of us. Media coverage further reinforces these negative associations, as reports often focus on the problems caused by a few individuals, shaping our overall perception of refugees.

To counteract these negative associations, Shahbazi suggests that people should personally engage with refugees and be mindful of the news they consume. The more we get to know “the other” in real life, the better chance we have of reducing negative associations.

Media scientist Reza Kartosen-Wong adds that news values, such as perceived cultural proximity, influence the choices made by editors. There is a tendency to prioritize news that seems culturally similar. These factors contribute to why the missing submarine generates more interest compared to the refugee crisis.