The story of 33 trapped Chilean miners has captivated the minds and emotions of people worldwide. The rescue of these miners on Wednesday October 13, 2010 after 69 days nearly 2,300 feet underground was the biggest news event of the year. People worldwide were glued to their television sets and computer screens. The live coverage of the rescue of each miner extended through the night and was filtered to the populous continually live online and via television. The story will become a historical account of heroism and science.
The mass employment of social media during the rescue was astounding. News outlets were running minute‒to‒minute updates on Twitter; the president of Chile continuously updated his Twitter account throughout the day as well. Individuals worldwide were given a voice by social media, one that they used to express emotions of anticipation, joy and inspiration. People in China celebrated the rescue while campaigning for similar treatment for national mining disasters.
Mine deaths are not an unusual occurrence. Most are covered up and receive no media attention at all. In fact, there is no true statistic on global mining deaths, estimates however range around 12,000 yearly. The question must be asked, why did the Chilean mining tragedy, turned miracle, receive media attention worldwide? And, would the rescue have ever been attempted if the media interest weren’t present? The answer to the former rests in the type of coverage originally dedicated to the story. The media focused on the social interest aspect, instead of looking at it as a labour piece, playing into the emotional side of the story and drawing in an audience. Social media then propagated the story further. The answer to the latter perhaps will never be known, however if other similar circumstances are a good measure for judgment the answer is probably not, if there had been no media these men wouldn’t have been saved.
CNN: Social media reacts to Chile mine rescue
CNN: World reacts to Chile mine rescue
For additional information view the following links.
ABC News International
The Guardian
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