One of the criticisms of the news media that many people make is that journalists emphasize “bad news” rather than “good news.” What do you think people mean by that? Do you agree? Do the news values in this chapter mean that journalists are more likely to look for “bad news” than “good news”?
I most certainly agree with the criticism that journalists emphasize “bad news” rather than “good news.” When looking through a newspaper or magazine, you rarely read a positive headline. All you see these days are articles about crime, war, or economic crises. For example, if you go to the New York Times website, the cover page is full of articles titled, Obama Presses Economic Plan to Confront ‘Crisis’, Death Toll Climbs in Australia Fires, and Rodriguez Admits Using Drug to Enhance Performance. It appears that journalists are much more interested in writing “bad news” rather than “good news.” One reason journalists focus on “bad news” rather than “good news” is because readers seem to be more interested in reading “bad news.” The news values listed in Stovall’s textbook are a prime example. For instance, the first news value listed is impact. As we read in the book, impact is when an event has the capacity to change people’s lives. Even if only a few people are involved the consequences may affect many. For this reason “bad news” is featured more because of the consequences individuals involved may face and the ramifications they may have on society.
Another news value readers tend to focus on is conflict, which we often find in “bad news.” As stated in the textbook “conflict is one of journalist’s favorite news values because it generally ensures that there is an interesting story to write.” Therefore, in order to grab the readers’ attention, conflict is often featured in the media. Proximity is another news value focused on in journalism because people want to know what is going on around them. Proximity is especially important for “bad news” because people want to be aware of any dangers, problems or haphazards happening ‘in their backyard.’ Overall, it appears that “bad news” is featured more then “good news” due to news values and the readers’ preference.
I agree with you that readers tend to prefer "bad news", not because we enjoy reading about other people's suffereing...but then again I think we do. The human seems to have an intense curiosity in the calamity surrounding other people. Sometimes because that horror might affect their own lives, and sometimes simply because that is part of our nature. Are we a morbid culture? Remember how traffic is always backed up for miles around an accident, sometimes only because people are slowing down to look. Is it because we want to sympathize? Or simply because we are curious? Who knows, exactly, but as you said, journalists will latch on to what they know readers will want to read. They write what sells.
ReplyDeleteI totally think its true that the news emphasizes the bad rather than the good. I also think that the readers focus mostly on the bad than the good. It seems that stories about bad news makes for more excitment. I kinda think its unfortunate that people would rather hear about the bad things that happen to people rather than the good things.
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