1 Chapter 14 News Effects

2 Characteristics of News There was a “fire wall” that used to protect serious news from the encroachment of sensationalism. Serious news has become increasingly tainted by so-called trash or tabloid journalism.

3 Hard News “the report of an event that happened or was disclosed within the previous twenty- four hours and treats an issue of ongoing concern” 5 primary characteristics: 1. Personalized- happened to real people 2. Dramatic, conflict-filled, controversial, violent 3. Actual and concrete 4. Novel or deviant 5. Linked to issues of ongoing concern

4 Secondary Characteristics of Hard News 1. Inoffensive 2. Credible 3. Packageable 4. Oriented toward a local angle

5 Crisis News Crisis  “natural or man-made events that pose an immediate and serious threat to the lives and property or to the peace of mind of many” These events affect a vast number of people.

6 Soft News Human interest stories and news stories that are not considered fast breaking or immediate in nature.

7 Crisis Effects News diffusion Effects of crisis on media function and activity Rally effects

8 News Diffusion Focuses on crisis news Examines the ways that people hear about news items and the rapidity with which news spreads 3 factors that influence news diffusion: 1. Important or high impact event 2. The timing of the release 3. Audience demographics

9 Effects of Crisis on Media Function and Activity In times of crisis, the media provide extended coverage of the event. Sometimes coverage is intended to comfort audiences who are grieving or otherwise upset.

10 Rally Effects Occur whenever an external threat is present Cause people to set aside their differences, come together and mobilize against the threat Mass media contribute to rally effects:  Media is the vehicle through which information reaches the public.  During times of crisis, the media is often less critical of government leaders and policies.

11 Psychological and Other Effects From News Studies have sought to identify:  How much people learn from the news they see, hear, and read  What factors facilitate or impede learning  What effects result from comprehension or miscomprehension Others studies have examined news effects at the national and international level and its impact on foreign policy and foreign relations.

12 Remembering the News Factors that influence the amount of information retained by audience members:  Gender, age, educational level, social class  Personal interest  Background knowledge of news events  Story structure  Visual materials

13 News Effects on Knowledge and Decisions Juries’ exposure to case information affects their verdicts. Jury members reading about similar crimes prior to a trial also influences verdicts.

14 News Effects on Foreign Policy Areas in which the news has an effect on foreign affairs:  Diplomatic negotiations  Media’s focus on particular images  The reliance of the news media on government sources for information  The relation between covered stories and accompanying video images

15 Recent Research and Future Trends Children’s fright reactions to news reports Knowledge gap research Memory for news items Perceptions of issues reported in the news