La Voz de Galicia – June 20, 2025 →
There are many studies published about the consequences of exposure to media violence, and about our desensitization. Without a doubt, violence is everywhere: around us, in international politics, in audiovisual media… But I can’t help but keep thinking about what it means to be constantly exposed to it. One only has to look at international conflicts to see that there are communities where, unfortunately, it is impossible to escape or avoid it. There are also communities where violence appears in specific contexts, related to crime or human relationships (and which is often impossible to avoid as well). But for those fortunate enough not to be constantly exposed to some kind of physical or real violence, what does it mean to be exposed to it every day through the media, even if we don’t seek it out?
Lately, the digital versions of newspapers tend to show a section of short videos on news stories that are or will become viral. Videos that, like on social media, are sometimes impossible not to watch—since they often autoplay, and once you access the newspaper, they’re already there on the homepage, with no prior warning of their content. And once I’ve seen them, even if just for a second, I can’t help but replay them in my head. And when the content is violent or catastrophic, I ask myself: what is the purpose of showing it without context? Perhaps the answer lies in the present and future of the media, in the fact that they need to generate clicks and constantly capture our attention in order to survive in a reality where more and more people approach the news through social networks.
