Selection & Presentation Flashcards
1
Q
How can the selection and presentation of news be biased?
A
- Reflects the values and assumptions of media producers
- Can favor dominant class views
- Uses biased language (e.g., “trouble-makers”)
- Gives more airtime to certain groups (e.g., police or management)
2
Q
What did the Glasgow University Media Group (GUMG) find about news reporting on strikes?
A
- News favored dominant class
- Voice-overs supported employers
- More access was given to management than strikers
- Police violence was downplayed
- Strikers were portrayed negatively
3
Q
Why is the appearance of objectivity in news dangerous?
A
- Makes bias seem neutral
- Increases believability of dominant narratives
- Encourages acceptance of mainstream ideology
4
Q
What does it mean that news is socially constructed?
A
- Reflects journalists’ values and societal norms
- Not objective — shaped by human choices
- Influenced by dominant ideology
- Constructed through selection and framing
5
Q
According to Marxists, why is news biased?
A
- Journalists are part of ruling class ideology
- Economic and ideological influences shape content
- Promotes the interests of capitalism
6
Q
How has new media changed the selection and presentation of news?
A
- People skim content quickly
- Sensational and scandalous headlines gain clicks
- Citizens contribute via social media
- Stories change in real-time
- Errors and misinformation can spread more easily
7
Q
What is citizen journalism?
A
- Ordinary people reporting news
- Often via social media (e.g., live tweets, photos, videos)
- Public participation in shaping stories
8
Q
What are the key impacts of new media?
A
- Real-time news updates
- Diverse sources
- Greater public involvement
- Risk of misinformation
- Blurred line between journalist and public
9
Q
What assumptions do media professionals make about their audience?
A
- What stories will attract attention
- What fits ‘public interest’
- Use of audience values to filter content
- Focus on stories that serve political/business agendas
10
Q
How can advertisers and the government influence news content?
A
- Profit-seeking media may avoid offending advertisers
- Governments may suppress critical content
- Influence what gets reported or ignored
- Example: Suppression of Iraq War images
11
Q
Why do some argue that news content should be regulated?
A
- To prevent harm (e.g., defamation, legal breaches)
- Protect public interest
- Maintain ethical standards
- Example: Leveson Inquiry after phone hacking scandal
12
Q
What are the practical constraints on news production?
A
- Time — quick turnaround, repeat sources
- Space — limited room, stories shortened
- Money — budget limits, cheaper content prioritized
- Technology — easier access to some areas than others
- Competition — popular, sensational stories prioritized
13
Q
What is the role of press releases in news selection?
A
- Save time and money
- Delivered straight to newsrooms
- Increases chance of being published
- Often from celebrities, politicians, corporations
14
Q
What are bureaucratic news values (Galtung & Ruge, 1965)?
A
- News should be current
- News should be simple
- News should be brief
- Big news is better than small news
15
Q
What are cultural news values?
A
- News should be unexpected
- Focus on important people
- Be relevant to the audience
- Bad news is preferred over good news
16
Q
What is agenda-setting in journalism?
A
- Journalists/editors decide what is newsworthy
- Shapes audience perception
- Influences what people think about
- Based on what catches public attention
17
Q
What is gate-keeping in journalism?
A
- Editors control what is published
- Decide how much space is given
- Acts like a filter — some stories enter, others blocked
- Influences public knowledge
18
Q
Why do some stories get underreported?
A
- Hard to access areas (e.g., war zones)
- Lack of technical resources
- Unpopular or complex topics
- Political pressure
- Budget constraints
19
Q
What did Yvonne Jewkes (2004) argue about news content?
A
- Influenced by how journalists construct stories
- Uses ‘news values’ to decide what to include
- Public interest often shaped by government and media interests
20
Q
What did Herman and Chomsky (1988) argue about media content?
A
- Media is profit-seeking
- Influenced by advertisers and big corporations
- Avoids content that could offend sponsors
21
Q
What did Edwards and Cromwell (2006) find about Iraq War images?
A
- Images were suppressed in media
- Critical coverage was minimized
- Shows government and advertiser influence
22
Q
What is the role of the Press Complaints Commission (PCC)?
A
- Industry self-regulation body
- Deals with audience complaints
- Aims to uphold journalistic standards
- Was criticized for lack of power
23
Q
What triggered the Leveson Inquiry (2011-12)?
A
- News of the World phone hacking scandal
- Journalists accessed mobile phones illegally
- Led to major criticism of press ethics
24
Q
What were the recommendations of the Leveson Inquiry?
A
- Stronger press regulation
- Independent oversight
- Government-backed but free from direct state control
25
What did Paul Hollins (2012) argue about media power?
- Press represented those in power positively
- Suppressed opposition voices
- Worked with government to promote public interest narratives
26
What is meant by the term 'public interest' in news?
- Justification used by journalists for selecting stories
- Often reflects political or elite interests
- Not always aligned with what the public needs
27
How does competition influence news content?
- Encourages sensationalism
- Focus on celebrity gossip
- Aim is to attract readers and boost sales
28
Why do news outlets rely on news agencies?
- Agencies offer cheaper, ready-made stories
- Outlets may lack reporters in certain regions
- Agencies shape what becomes news
29
What is the impact of deadlines on news selection?
- Time constraints mean easily accessible stories are used
- Reuse of regular sources
- Limits range of viewpoints
30
What did Cohen and Young (1981) say about news?
- News is manufactured
- Influenced by time and space constraints
- Not objective or neutral
31
What does Grossberg et al (1998) contribute to media analysis?
- Supports the idea that news is socially constructed
- Influenced by institutional and social factors
32
What is 'agenda-setting' according to McCombs and Shaw?
- Media influences what topics people think about
- Controls public focus
- Shapes perceived importance of issues
33
What is the significance of space constraints in news?
- Stories may be shortened
- Less important details removed
- Can affect how issues are understood
34
What does it mean for journalists to work within 'news values'?
- Criteria for selecting stories
- Reflect cultural and bureaucratic standards
- Guide what is considered newsworthy
35
What is 'gatekeeping' and who coined the term?
- Coined by Gans (1979)
- Editors control what gets published
- Filters content based on relevance and space
36
Why do stories from certain regions get more coverage?
- Easier access to cameras and reporters
- Regions with established contacts
- Some areas are logistically difficult or expensive to report from
37
Why is bad news preferred over good news?
- Seen as more dramatic and engaging
- Appeals to audience emotions
- Increases sales and viewership
38
How does sensationalism affect news reporting?
- Prioritizes shocking stories
- May distort facts
- Aimed at boosting popularity and revenue
