All of the media coverage surrounding Malaysian flight 370 has reminded me that complex information can be extremely sensitive.
When Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak announced that 370 had crashed in the southern corridor of the Indian Ocean, I was a little surprised that he didn't cite any direct evidence. The flight path was determined using "a type of analysis never before used in an investigation of this sort," but no debris has been discovered. Malaysian officials solved the mystery using math.
But this isn't the kind of math that anyone can do on one of those calculator watches that they used to sell at Kmart. It requires an understanding of satellite positioning, radio wavelengths, and trigonometry. It's the work of professors, not doctors and rescue divers.
So, it's not surprising that people aren't satisfied with the official verdict of the Malaysian government. This kind of math is difficult to understand and grieving families need closure, not numbers.
But sometimes numbers are the answer, however unsatisfying that may be. And I can't help but feel like its the journalist's job to communicate this fact.
If it were possible to communicate complex calculations to the general population, I wonder if the debates surrounding climate change, evolution, and vaccination would disappear. Perhaps not. But, like I said, I can't help but feel like it's our job.
Josh, astute observations. I never thought about it this way. And sensitively stated. Yes, I'm confident, at the very least, the plane is lost with all the souls on board. Denial is a common emotion for families facing loss. This has gone on so long without concrete evidence a family can hold in their hand or see in their eye.
ReplyDeleteGreat points Josh! Evidence, resources, and citations are all necessary to include, in all reporting.
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