28 February, 2015. 10:30
CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | [email protected]
Early last month, seventeen people, including journalists and police and three gunmen – died in France during a terrifying week that started with the execution style murder of several journalists inside their Parisian CBD newspaper office
The bloodshed ended with a hostage-taking at a Jewish deli in which four hostages were killed. The attacks have resulted in millions rallying throughout the capital city in an inspiring display of unity and solidarity, defending the freedom of speech and the French way of life.
These acts, committed by religious extremists, come not even months after similar attacks in Australia, Canada, the United States and North Africa – a very solemn Christmas for those whose loved ones have been lost.
BACK HOME:
One family, however, have claimed that the intense and sensationalised media coverage of these acts of terror has left them feeling desensitised and numb to the tragedy.
“Even our kids are over all of this,” says Pete Miller, the patriarch of a middle-class family unit in Betoota’s Western suburbs.
“We were worried to begin with, but once we learnt each and every story back to front… we kind of began to wonder when this would all end,”
“We watch a lot of TV and since all this started we began feeling quite uneasy about the fragmented programming that arises when you get 24 hour news coverage of terrorist acts on the other side of the world,”
“My daughter is really looking forward to The Voice returning to Channel Nine, and my wife and I cannot wait for The Block,”
“Reality television is our favourite past time. Our youngest, Jakey, was born during the first season of Australian Idol – his mother literally went in labour during the Grand Finale – we are still shocked that Shannon Noll didn’t win that one,”
While Mr Miller says he and his wife have ensured that their children have the support they need while being exposed to the graphic and confronting images headlines of international terrorism, he is certain that they don’t actually care.
“All I want… All We want, is another seven months of brain-numbing reality television and intense sport coverage. We aren’t even living in fear, this is quickly becoming an intensely boring spectacle for my little ones”
