The media is a powerful social and political force. As such, it is subject to the same sorts of biases and pressures that influence the people who create it. Despite the best intentions of journalists, news coverage often fails to provide the full picture or reflect the perspectives and opinions of the wider community.
As a result, it’s important to understand what influences news coverage and how you can work with the media to promote positive stories about your community.
Journalists are human, and like everyone else, they may be influenced by anger, jealousy, fear, or ambition. They also belong to complex organizations with competing goals and needs. For example, a reporter in Washington might want all the facts behind a story, while a journalist in Denver might be more interested in the emotional impact of the story. This means that compromises will have to be made.
Another important issue is brevity. Journalists have limited time to cover the world’s events. They rely on legislatures, government offices, and scheduled press briefings to gather information for their reports. As a result, they tend to focus on those places that are likely to produce the most interesting or significant news.
In addition, the tendency to report violent incidents without delving into their underlying motivations or grievances is pervasive in news coverage. In this way, the media contributes to the perception that violence is a necessary part of the human condition. As such, it is critical to continue promoting news literacy and encouraging people to seek out balanced media diets that include staying informed about critical issues while also consuming stories of human ingenuity, compassion, and progress.