The media should not exaggerate

My house is close to the Bangnumjeud Klong. Every morning and evening I drive along the khlong and monitor the level of water. While driving, I see lots of people fishing, swimming, casting out nets and sitting by the khlong like they are having a party, laughing and being happy. Life seems normal; in fact, it seems people are having more fun.

Then, later, I see the news on television. There are so many experts giving their views on each channel. Most of these views are not the same; everyone has a different opinion. The news makes it all bigger than it is supposed to be. There may be some water on the roads somewhere but the media is already on top of it, screaming flood, sometimes causing panic. The media should just give us the facts and not let it be more than what it is.

Thailand has gone through several major floods already in this century. I am sure previously there was not so much coverage. People probably did not even know the floods were coming, and life went on as normal. I think sometimes the media make people more tense and nervous. Now, I don’t watch any more television about the floods. I watch shows that make me relax.

I know it is important to have coverage of this tragic event, but the media should not exaggerate; just state the facts. This will help people to not be stressed, so their daily lives can get back to normal and they can have fun, like the people fishing and playing in the water.

Raj Guendaraju

Samut Sakhon