The ethics of suffering in the media

Image creation by Finn Souter with photo of child by Hamza Awan and tv set by Anete Lusina from Pexels

Dera Eneremadu explores how media evokes empathy, commodifies pain and meets the human need for suffering

The portrayal of suffering in the media, whether through television, film, charity advertisements or art, raises important ethical questions regarding its impact on us. These depictions provoke strong emotional reactions, often driving us to feel empathy and take action. However, the ethical complexities behind such representations are worth considering.

One reason we are drawn to suffering in the media is rooted in the psychological need to experience something that is often absent from our own lives. In affluent societies, where many live comfortable lives, suffering is something we may rarely face directly. As such, we may turn to the media as a means of vicariously experiencing it.

Horror films, news reports and distressing charity campaigns, like those from Save the Children, allow us to confront suffering in a controlled way. This consumption of suffering offers a form of catharsis, a term from Greek tragedy, where audiences purge their emotions by safely engaging with extreme situations.

However, the commodification, or exploitation of suffering in the media, especially in charity campaigns, raises significant ethical concerns. Save the Children adverts, for example, often feature images of starving children in war-torn regions, generating emotional responses that often lead to donations. While these advertisements undoubtedly raise funds, they also risk desensitising the public to the complexity of real suffering.

My research drew me to a lecture at Cambridge University, which focused on suffering and theodicy. It explored Augustine’s ideas on suffering as privation, highlighting the ways in which media representations both challenge and shape our moral sensibilities. Check out more here.

At the core of the lecture was the theological question of why suffering exists and how it is portrayed in different cultural mediums. Drawing from a series of prints by Goya, The Disasters of War, the lecturer discussed how art can express the difficult truths of human suffering. Goya’s raw, stark images of war and violence invite viewers to confront these uncomfortable truths. In this sense, suffering is not simply an unfortunate by-product of human existence, but a pivotal aspect of it; something that must be acknowledged to appreciate the good.

The representation of suffering in the media highlights harsh realities and raises ethical questions

John Stuart Mill’s utilitarian theory, which advocates for maximising happiness and minimising suffering, suggests that such media campaigns might reduce suffering to a one-dimensional narrative, sacrificing moral complexity for simplicity and effectiveness. For a deeper exploration of Mill’s refined utilitarianism, check out more here.

The ethical dilemma surrounding the portrayal of suffering in charity campaigns is further compounded by the word ‘charity’, which is rooted in the Latin term caritas (love). This raises the question of whether such campaigns are driven by genuine compassion or if they rely on manipulation to elicit emotional responses.

Philosopher Martha Nussbaum’s Capabilities Approach, outlined in her book, challenges us to rethink charity by addressing the root causes of suffering: poverty, lack of education and inadequate healthcare, rather than offering temporary relief.

Ultimately, the representation of suffering in the media is not just about highlighting the harsh realities of human existence but also raising ethical questions. Are we truly moved by compassion, or are we being manipulated? As we confront these questions, it’s important to critically assess the moral implications of suffering’s commodification in modern media.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the suffering we see in the media. While there’s no simple solution, giving our time is a powerful way to help. Volunteering at a local food bank through the Trussell Trust, offering support to older people with Age UK, or mentoring young students via IntoUniversity are all meaningful ways to connect and make a difference, even in small ways. Compassion, after all, is most real when acted upon.

Stay tuned for part two, where I explore the psychological and religious perspectives on suffering and how they shape our responses to human pain.