Shark Safe Media and Programming Campaign:

• How the media generally portray sharks:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The truth about sharks is much different than the media!
  
  
  
  
  Photo courtesy of Mary O'Malley
  
  
  Issues:
  
  1. TV programs about sharks often promote inaccurate or sensationalized images of sharks as bloodthirsty man-eaters. These programs reach millions of people and the trend towards negative shark programming has been increasing. TV stations have to sell advertising and advertisers want viewers. How can we help these stations to satisfy their viewers and advertisers without hurting the image of sharks?
  
  2. Even though many nature programs about sharks are more hype than education, most viewers believe the hype. Focusing on shark attacks and showing frightening and sometimes gory images adds to the public's fear of and even hatred for sharks.
  
  3. Print and TV news media often portray sharks badly. When they do, they fuel the misconceptions and fears of the public. Even minor shark bites can turn into major "breaking" news stories.
  
  The news media also glorify fishermen who kill endangered, and even pregnant, sharks for a record or tournament. Such cruelty would never be tolerated, let alone rewarded for any other type of animal. We need to encourage reporters to let their viewers and readers know that sharks are absolutely vital to our oceans and that they are being wiped out at an alarming rate. We are seeing the changes already. Let's keep encouraging them to do better!
  
  Goals:
  
  1. Educate the public, reporters and TV producers about sharks - the truth about sharks and their importance to the environment.
  2. Work with Programming Directors for stations that air shark programs to encourage more and more positive shark programming.
  3. One show and one article at a time, change the way in which sharks are depicted by the media
  
  Action Plan:
  
  Materials:
  
  Additional Information and Resources:
  
  Current Media Campaigns
  
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