Whale Wars and the Public Screen: Mediating Animal Ethics in Violent Times (original) (raw)

The paper examines the relationship between media representations, particularly reality television, and animal ethics activism, focusing on the show "Whale Wars". It critiques how the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's (SSCS) efforts are mediated through Animal Planet's commercial interests, arguing that while the SSCS has achieved some real-world successes in curbing whale hunting, the portrayal of these efforts often dilutes their ethical message in favor of entertainment. Suggestions for improving the representation of animal rights in media are also offered, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced and empathetic portrayal that could better serve both the animals being protected and the audience's understanding of animal ethics.