Topic 4: News Selection Flashcards
Why is TV news regarded as the most reliable? (4 points)
1)High-tech delivery shows the scientific lengths gone to, to gain the “truth‟
2)Deliver even bad news in a friendly, reassuring manner – viewers see them as trustworthy.
3) Newsreaders :dress smart – have eye contact
4) Body language suggest authority
What are news values?
The values & assumptions held by editors & journalists which guide them in choosing what is “newsworthy”.
What do editors & journalists believe makes something newsworthy?
1) negative news is seen as more exciting.
2) reference to elite people
3) Extraordinariness, unexpected events have more newsworthiness then routine events.
4) Threshold, the bigger the even the more likely it is reported.
5) Personalisation, associating a particular celebrity or leader with the specific event.
6) Unambiguity, events which are easy to grasp/understand are more likely to be reported.
What is churnalism?
The process of journalists uncritically churning out articles based on second-hand news agency reports based on pre-packaged material from press releases and other sources, rather than doing research themselves.
What did Davies say?
Journalists fail to check their facts through due to to 24 hours news. Journalists are uncritical and have an over reliance on ‘facts’.
What is criticisms of churnalism?
1)Marxists suggest that Davies ignores the role of owners & advertisers in this process
2) rather than presenting the truth news is manufactured.
3) This benefits powerful groups & has a negative effect on the rest of society
What do Marxists say about media owners?
Owners influence the content of news by giving direct instructions to journalists and broadcasters on what should or shouldn’t be covered.
What does Becker say?
Becker argues that journalists operate within the hierarchy of credibility. This means they attach the greatest importance to the views of the powerful and influential individuals and groups.
What does the GMUG say?
The GUMG argue that the way the news is gathered & presented is the result of journalists social background.
They see nothing wrong with society so do not criticise.
They side with the rich & powerful because they have more in common with them.
What is a Moral panic?
The medias reaction to social groups or activities which are defined as threatening societal values. As a result they create anxiety amongst the general public.
What do Marxists say about the Moral panic?
They serve capitalist ideology. News papers play a key role in creating a moral panic which creates revenue and profit for the ruling class. (HALL says it meets the needs of capitalism)
What did Cohen say?
He showed how media over reacts to particular groups or actions that are seen to be a threat to society. It is simply the surge of public concern about an issue which is not proportionate to the problem. MODS AND ROCKERS.
What does moral panic lead to?
The police and society are more vigilant due to ‘folk devils’, leading to an increase in crime rates making the perception of the problem worse.
What are the steps of moral panic?
Small issues become over reported which leads to the moral panic. This can lead to self-fulfilling prophecy of deviancy amplification.
