The fifth estate, which refers to non-traditional media outlets such as social media platforms and independent bloggers, seems to find pleasure in the downfall of prominent figures, often portraying them as modern-day witches. This metaphorical association with witches connects to historical images of women accused of witchcraft and subsequently executed, as well as the societal glee surrounding their deaths. As the fifth estate revels in the death of the witch, they perpetuate a harmful cycle of public shaming and moral judgment. This phenomenon reflects a darker aspect of human nature, where individuals take pleasure in the destruction of others for entertainment and validation. The advent of the internet and the democratization of media have exacerbated this issue, as the power to shame and vilify others is now in the hands of ordinary individuals. The ease of disseminating information and opinions online allows for the rapid spread of distorted narratives, further fueling this culture of reveling in the downfall of others.
Viola escapes through the forest, seemingly escaping Ellen's wrath, and pours the medicine inside the Cute Little Bottle on the roses, which makes all of the roses and magic in the forest to disappear. This allows Viola to exit the forest without being harmed. As she escapes, she finds her father, who has been searching for her as she was missing for the entire day. As they reunite, the legless girl reappears in an attempt to take Viola's body. Viola's father, out of fear and love for his daughter, shoots the legless girl and kills her. As they exit out of the forest, Viola looks back at the legless girl, seemingly recounting all of the events that occurred to her in the Witch's House. The screen turns black and the credits will roll.
On the contrary, according to several local sources, violence related to accusations of witchcraft is increasingly prevalent even in provinces of Papua where it has not traditionally been present. Viola reads the final diary entry in the Witch s Room, which reveals the terrifying truth that the witch desires to switch bodies with Viola in order to obtain a healthy body and obtain love.
The ease of disseminating information and opinions online allows for the rapid spread of distorted narratives, further fueling this culture of reveling in the downfall of others. Although the fifth estate has the potential to hold those in power accountable and expose wrongdoing, it is important to recognize the ethical responsibility that comes with this power. Rather than indulging in schadenfreude, the fifth estate should aim to promote fairness, empathy, and balanced reporting.
Port Moresby, Caritas: 'Stop violent witch hunts'
Church calls for an end to impunity for those who torture women accused of witchcraft. Last month four women were killed because they were blamed for the death of a local businessman. So far, the government's implemented plans have not worked.
Port Moresby (AsiaNews) - "Stop the violence related to accusations of witchcraft" and impunity for those who carry out such acts. This is the call made today by Caritas Papua New Guinea during a press conference after the barbaric abuse perpetrated against nine women accused of procuring through witchcraft the death of a well-known businessman in Enga province.
After the discovery of the body of Mapai Transport owner Jacob Luke, who probably died of a heart attack or stroke, members of the local community tortured nine women, killing four of them.
"The survivors were placed in the care of our staff and volunteers under the administration of the Catholic Diocese of Wabag. We will continue to offer them care until their reintegration into the community, when it is deemed safe," said the diocese's auxiliary bishop Msgr. Justin Ain Soongie. "We strongly condemn this heinous act perpetrated by some individuals who continue to disturb the peace and harmony of our societies by inflicting unimaginable suffering on vulnerable women."
"Witchcraft is an opportunistic behavior largely driven by suspicion, fear, revenge, dishonesty and economic desires, and unfortunately it is usually encouraged by friends and relatives," the official Caritas statement continues. "Although witchcraft beliefs and practices are still prevalent in some parts of the country, we have never seen an act as barbaric as this recent incident."
"We also call attention to the recent statements made by the Enga Provincial Police Commander and the Police Commissioner, particularly their assurance to pursue the perpetrators and have them arrested and prosecuted," Bishop Justin Ain Soongie continued in his statement. "We urge them to keep their word and make the same appeal to the courts in Wabag to act promptly to expedite all cases of violence related to registered witchcraft accusations so that the perpetrators are punished," because "the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of such serious acts is simply unconscionable."
To put an end to the problem once and for all, the final appeal was addressed to politicians, "We call on the elected members of parliament in Enga province and the new government to prioritize the elimination of violence related to witchcraft accusations" both locally and nationally. "To remain silent on the issue is to implicitly endorse this evil that is gradually destroying our families, our homes, our societies and the country as a whole," the statement concludes.
According to an Australian National University study published in 2017, only 91 out of 15 thousand offenders had been incarcerated for their crimes. Plans implemented so far by the government to eradicate "witch hunts" have proven ineffective. On the contrary, according to several local sources, violence related to accusations of witchcraft is increasingly prevalent even in provinces of Papua where it has not traditionally been present.
Port Moresby (AsiaNews) - "Stop the violence related to accusations of witchcraft" and impunity for those who carry out such acts. This is the call made today by Caritas Papua New Guinea during a press conference after the barbaric abuse perpetrated against nine women accused of procuring through witchcraft the death of a well-known businessman in Enga province.
It is crucial for society to challenge and reevaluate its collective satisfaction derived from the condemnation and death of public figures, understanding the implications it has on our own humanity. By consciously choosing compassion over cruelty, the fifth estate can shape a more ethical and constructive narrative moving forward..
Reviews for "The Witch's Downfall: The Fifth Estate's Role in the Saga"
Alex - 2 stars - "The fifth estate revels in the death of the witch" was a disappointing read for me. I had high expectations for this book, but it fell short in many ways. The writing felt disjointed and lacked flow, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, which made it hard to connect with them on any level. Overall, I found this book to be quite forgettable and would not recommend it to others who are looking for a compelling and engaging read."
Maria - 1 star - I cannot comprehend why "The fifth estate revels in the death of the witch" has received such positive reviews. The writing style was clunky and awkward, making it a struggle to get through the pages. The story itself was uninteresting and lacked any significant plot or character development. I found myself constantly checking how many pages were left, hoping it would soon be over. I cannot recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well-written literature with engaging storytelling."
Luke - 2 stars - "The fifth estate revels in the death of the witch" was not my cup of tea. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, and the characters felt flat and uninteresting. The writing style was also quite lackluster, lacking any poetic or descriptive language to make the story come alive. While I appreciate the effort to explore a unique concept, it failed to captivate me or leave any lasting impression. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others."