Why is it that all real media focuses on the negative?

[dvb25]

From mainstream media to National Geographic, it's either humans killing humans or animals killing animals. Sure this happens, but what about the other 87 trillion acts of reciprocity that benefit each other? Why are they not covered. For every act of anti-social behavior there are tens of thousands of acts of the "ethos of reciprocity". Why is this so forgotten?

[Lorelei]

They will focus on what will get them ratings. Unfortunately people tune into these things or they wouldn't keep putting it on the air.

[Katie]

First, people will watch it. People tend to have a sick interest in bad news.

Second, mainstream media uses scare tactics on us. They use it to try and get us to buy products, to vote for politicians, etc.

[wild-man of Borneo]

Sure.
Why not?
When the creeps keep on creeping out from the graveyards of failures and horrors of the past.
As cheap-skate ghostly stories on glory and success of past glorious civilization.
In idol worshiping the dead Mummy of failures and horrors of the past with the Book of the Dead.
In kicking the butts of God in not worshiping God with the Book of the Living.
Luke 6.39-40,41-45,46-49
What do you think?

[L Em]

Our newspaper actually tries to focus on "happy news." I mean, sure, we cover court & govt. meetings, but we really make a point to show our community that the world isn't such an awful place. We do features on people who are trying to bring a little joy and caring into the world, cleaning up the environment (we're big tree-huggers) and those who are just plain fascinating.

But I think that mainstream media focus on the negative b/c humans in general do. Think about all the people who gather around to watch a train-wreck. They are in the business of making money. They are not a "news" source, in many cases, they are a vehicle for money-making with only a slightly journalistic flare (I know, I know, don't be hateful, but they really grate on my nerves). They don't even have things spelled correctly half the time on the little ticker at the bottom of the screen on the major news networks. And newspapers don't check their facts before running with a story they pick up from AP, then they have to run a correction or clarification.

They give the people what they want to see, just like Jerry Springer.