As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, millions around the globe celebrate with sparkling wine, cocktails, or their drink of choice.
Liquor sales surge during this time, and it has become commonplace for news outlets to report on these figures as a significant event.
However, treating liquor sales as a mainstream news item does not necessarily align with the responsibility of media houses to inform and educate the public. Instead, it raises concerns about prioritisation, ethical reporting, and societal impact.
Here is why liquor sales during New Year should not dominate headlines.
Normalising Alcohol Consumption
Focusing on liquor sales during new year as a newsworthy story risks glorifying and normalising excessive alcohol consumption.
While drinking is an integral part of celebration for many, such coverage could inadvertently reinforce the idea that alcohol is a mandatory element of New Year festivities.
This messaging excludes non-drinkers and those who celebrate in other ways, perpetuating a narrow cultural narrative.
By amplifying the commercial aspects of alcohol consumption, the media may unintentionally contribute to binge-drinking culture, which has well-documented health and social consequences.
Instead, the media could focus on promoting inclusive and diverse ways to celebrate.
Ethical Responsibility To Public Health
Alcohol abuse is a serious public health issue worldwide. Excessive drinking during New Year’s celebrations often leads to a spike in alcohol-related accidents, injuries, and hospitalisations.
By treating liquor sales as a headline-worthy event, media houses risk trivialising the associated risks and challenges.
Journalistic integrity requires the media to consider the broader implications of their stories.
Highlighting liquor sales as a celebratory or purely economic statistic without addressing its potential consequences undermines efforts to promote responsible drinking and public safety.
Overshadowing More Meaningful Stories
New Year’s Eve is a time of reflection and renewal, a moment to focus on human connection, achievements, and aspirations for the year ahead.
Prioritising liquor sales during new year as a mainstream news item detracts from more meaningful stories that deserve attention.
For instance, stories about acts of kindness, cultural traditions, or inspiring resolutions can provide audiences with a sense of hope and positivity.
Reporting on the commercial aspects of alcohol, in contrast, offers little substance and fails to contribute to constructive discourse.
Reducing News To Consumerism
When media houses spotlight liquor sales, it often reflects a broader trend of reducing news to consumerism. Reporting on record sales or trends in alcohol consumption shifts the focus from societal and cultural dynamics to a celebration of commercial success.
This approach sidelines more pressing issues, such as the environmental impact of large-scale production, the challenges of waste management from celebrations, or the deeper social significance of New Year traditions.
Media outlets have the opportunity to elevate their coverage by prioritising stories with long-term value over fleeting commercial statistics.
Risk Of Alienating Audiences
Not everyone drinks alcohol, and for some, New Year’s Eve is a time for spiritual reflection, family bonding, or non-alcoholic celebrations.
By giving undue prominence to liquor sales, media houses risk alienating a significant portion of their audience.
Such coverage may also overlook the growing trend of mindful drinking, sobriety, and the popularity of non-alcoholic beverages.
Ignoring these perspectives perpetuates outdated stereotypes and fails to represent the diversity of modern celebratory practices.
Missing Opportunities For Constructive Reporting
Instead of focusing on liquor sales, media houses could use New Year’s celebrations as an opportunity to highlight more constructive stories. For example, they could report on:
These angles not only engage audiences but also inspire them to start the year on a positive and mindful note.
While the surge in liquor sales during New Year’s celebrations is undoubtedly a commercial phenomenon, it does not warrant treatment as a mainstream news item.
Media houses have a responsibility to prioritise stories that inform, inspire, and contribute positively to public discourse.
By shifting the focus away from alcohol sales and toward more meaningful narratives, the media can better serve their audiences and foster a culture of reflection, inclusivity, and responsible celebration.
ALSO READ : Toddy, A Locally Brewed Alcohol, Can Cure Cancer!
The Story Mug is a Guwahati-based Blogzine. Here, we believe in doing stories beyond the normal.
