Is it the Media that’s in Crisis?

Is the word crisis becoming overused? Every aspect of our lives seems to be in perpetual crisis, even before the COVID pandemic.

Health, housing markets, finances, transport, most (if not all) professions and sectors, political parties, international fighting forces, the environment… everything seems to be in ‘crisis’ and I can’t help but think whether the word itself is becoming diluted. Are we becoming desensitised to the word?

It is not my intention to make light of the many serious issues we must address now – quite the opposite. I want to gain perspective to help people feel they can start to tackle them.

During my career in the Royal Navy, we were prepared for the most extreme, dangerous, and difficult scenarios, but I don’t remember anyone using the term ‘crisis’. They were situations, circumstances and challenges that could be faced and dealt with if we listened, used the skills we had been trained with and worked as a team.

My question is whether the use of the word ‘crisis’ is making some people feel despair and powerlessness in situations where, with the right support, they could cope with difficult circumstances.

In terms of finance, there is no doubt that things are more difficult, and important decisions must be made. But I question whether the intensity of what seems to be constantly referred to as a crisis is coming from the need to attract viewers, gain readers and improve click rates?

The word crisis invokes a sense of futility and the need to be saved. In terms of finances, there needs to be work, attention and sometimes compromise, but I see my job as a Financial Adviser as helping my clients avoid the feeling of crisis, and to be honest, sometimes I find the headlines less than helpful.

Whilst I am a huge advocate of freedom of the press, I also believe in the responsibility of the press, and I think a little pragmatic calm may help us overcome this difficult period for so many people.