Viewing news broadcasts, particularly those from war zones, may not be as harmless as it appears. According to a psychologist, any one who often watches TV news reports and analyses over a long time is likely to suffer from a vague sense of fear which may eventually produce mental disorders — in most cases, depression and a desire to keep away from other people.
The psychologist warns that the reports are like a whirling sandstorm which tempts men to watch it until it is too late and then it buries them alive. The doctor advises that those who spend three hours or more in front of a TV screen watching reports of disasters should ask themselves if they really wanted to be exposed to so many images containing violence such as shootings, bombings, killings, burning houses and wailing and screeching ambulances. The viewers should also consider if the broadcasts have supplied them with useful information or have they simply spoiled their peace of mind.
The psychologist advises people the world over to take care that their viewing time of wars and destruction does not exceed an hour a day. Parents should discuss such reports with their children, along with discussing the children’s other problems. Parents should try to understand their children’s reaction to the terrible things occurring all over the world. It is of course the duty of parents to protect children from the damaging effects of witnessing merciless killings and destruction for which children are not psychologically prepared.
The American public, it seems, was spared the depression and related complications consequent to long exposure to the battle scenes in the last Iraq war in which US soldiers played the leading role. The public had apparently listened to the recommendations of psychologists not to watch war scenes continuously.
According to a study conducted by a leading US newspaper, most Americans were watching the popular TV series, “Friends” on the first day of the Iraq war. It was because they knew very well that watching the sufferings and cruelties of a war they were making would only upset them. So they chose to do something which helped them maintain a more balanced mind. After watching a bit of the war news, the people switched to more light-hearted and amusing programs.